British paralympian Sean Rose’s attempt to cross Europe’s largest glacier – Vatnajökull in Iceland – has ended in failure after he encountered problems and required an emergency rescue.
Rose, 42, was aiming to be part of the first group of people to cross Vatnajökull as his team – the 4 People 6 Legs expedition – attempted to snow kite across the glacier. However, the double winter paralympian downhill skier, who was paralysed following a skiing accident 13 years ago, encountered problems on the fourth day of the trip.
The team, which comprised of Rose, Max Smith, Kieron Jansch and Mike Dann, had enjoyed three “successful days” avoiding crevasses, live volcanoes and sink holes when Rose took ill. His team were forced to call in emergency help as his temperature hit -40C but, at 50kms into the wilderness and with conditions unfavourable, a helicopter rescue was impossible.
The next attempt proved futile too, with two jeeps being unable to pass through the fresh snow on the glacier and a skidoo crashing.
Jansch, who was filming the expedition for a documentary, admitted that morale was not good when they learnt of the aborted rescue as they feared Rose would be forced to endure another night in a tent with a rising temperature and no medication.
However, at around 10pm the team got word that the East Iceland Rescue Service had sent out two “super jeeps”, which were just six kilometres away. Yet the ordeal was far from over as the jeeps had to plough their way through the fresh snow on the glacier and didn’t reach the group until 3am.
Rose was eventually transported to Neskaupstaður General Hospital, where he spent two days on IV antibiotics. He wrote on Facebook that he was “proud” to be part of a team that “had everyone’s back” and were there for him when he needed them. He said in many ways they succeeded but they were unable to reach their final destination, adding that there is some “unfinished business” at Vatnajokull.