Lacy Lingerie Helps Find North Pole

When you approach the North Pole, compasses don't work properly because the difference between the geographic pole and the magnetic pole are more pronounced than elsewhere. So the Catlin Arctic Survey, currently en route to the pole to measure the Arctic Ice Cap, are having to use alternate methods of navigation. To measure wind direction, they are using a pair of lacy panties! The expedition is led by veteran explorer Pen Hadow.

Mr Hadow, who was the first person to trek solo to the North Pole, said the knickers were kindly donated by a supporter of the expedition.

Speaking from the Arctic via satellite phone, he said: "It an entirely genuine situation. If you can get gossamer thin material and attach it your ski pole it is particularly useful for this project because we can cannot use the compass as we are so close to magnetic north and it is too cold to use the GPS.

This expedition is particularly difficult because they are taking a route that has never been traveled. They expect to reach the pole in May or June. Link -via Arbroath