Sir Ranulph Fiennes dismisses age concerns as he plans six month 'impossible' trek across Antarctica The large amount of kit is necessary because the British government demands that any Antarctic expedition is self-sufficient. Speaking to the BBC, Sir Ranulph said: "We looked at this 25 years ago and realised it was impossible." He added: "We heard a rumour that Norwegian explorers were contemplating this. We realised we were going to have to have a go. The team will travel by boat to the Pacific coast of the continent, and during the journey plan to carry out scientific tasks to provide data on marine life, oceanography and meteorology. They will disembark from the ship and begin their journey on March 21 2013. Sir Ranulph said: "There is a huge, blank knowledge of the winter of Antarctica, what is happening to Antarctica during a period when the scientists can't normally get out there." Our caboose will be bristling with scientific instruments, for Nasa, for the European Space Agency. The team has had to employ cutting-edge technology to stand a chance of surviving for so long in the extreme conditions. This includes boot warmers, adapted ski bindings and even a giant 'thermal bag' for vehicles that prevents the engine freezing during rest stops. Sir Ranulph said: "At -70C a wind of even just 10mph will cut you like a knife."