Cash shortfall ends Polar Preet's North Pole quest

A former Army physiotherapist has cancelled the "insanely hard" challenge of becoming the first woman to travel solo and unsupported to the North Pole due to a lack of funding.

Capt Harpreet Chandi, nicknamed Polar Preet, had hoped to set off in March from Ellesmere Island, Canada, for the trek of just under 500 miles on shifting sea ice.

In February 2025, the adventurer, from Sinfin, Derby, delayed the challenge for 12 months but she has now cancelled the expedition after raising only £36,000 of the £300,000 needed.

In a social media post, the 36-year-old said: "I know I did everything I could to make it happen and I'm incredibly grateful for everyone who has supported the journey so far."

Chandi earned two Guinness World Records after a 922-mile (1,485km) trek across the Antarctic in 2023.

In that trip, she not only surpassed the world record for the longest polar ski expedition by a woman, but also the overall record.

In December 2024, Chandi announced she planned to complete the now cancelled North Pole feat, which has only successfully been completed by Norway's Borge Ousland in 1994 and Britain's Pen Hadow in 2003.

"Sometimes the hardest part of an expedition is getting to the start line," she said.

The adventurer said a large amount of the funding was needed for a $150,000 USD (£111,400) "rescue deposit".

"Five weeks ago I came to Canada with all my gear, knowing I didn't yet have the funding to start. I took that risk because this is a project I truly believe in," she said.

"I was hoping to begin my North Pole expedition in a couple of days, but I don't currently have the funding needed to reach the start point and the logistics are incredibly complicated.

"Because of that, I won't be able to start the expedition I originally planned.

"I really thought that if I put everything into it, I could make it to the start line. I'm finding this hard, and I'm sorry if anyone feels disappointed."

Despite cancelling the challenge, Chandi said the adventure "isn't over".

"I've got my gear with me and made it this far, so I'm going to head north, just not as far north as originally planned," she said.

"I'm currently working out the details and hope to start something this week."

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