A teenage adventurer is set to make his second bid to become the youngest person to ski to the North Pole.
Parker Liautuad, 16, failed in his first attempt last year, just 15 miles from his target, after he was halted by injury and poor weather conditions.
Then only 15, the record-breaking attempt was his first polar expedition.
Now he has returned to take on the challenge for a second time, in what he calls “unfinished business”.
Parker, a California-born French-American Eton student, will face an average temperature of -35C and will burn 9,000 calories a day pulling a sled weighing 115lb across ice in the Arctic Ocean.
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The teenager, who is an environmental campaigner, will also take snow and ice thickness measurements during his trek as part of ongoing climate change research for Canada’s University of Alberta.
Last year he set up The Last Degree, an organisation whose goal is to “inspire, inform and engage young people in a real dialogue on urgent environmental issues facing the Polar Regions” through his expeditions.
Parker is also an ambassador for One Young World - a global forum for youngsters with leadership potential. He will attempt the feat with world-renowned explorer Douglas Stoup, a veteran of more than 20 polar expeditions.
Writing on his website, Parker said: “I decided to reattempt this expedition this year for several reasons. Firstly, I want to address the issue of unfinished business, in that this mission and challenge has become a personal one as well.
“Secondly, it will allow me to continue my campaign, The Last Degree, in a very effective manner. We will begin late in the season this year, so as to most effectively demonstrate the effects of climate change on the polar regions.”
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TV adventurer and UK chief scout Bear Grylls said: "A huge challenge and a huge ambition, but such endeavours bring out the best in us.
"I so admire Parker's dedication and drive and I know what can be achieved when a project has one's whole heart and soul in it.
"I fully support Parker's determination to bring this important message of climate change to world leaders."
Parker is also planning to become the youngest person to ski to the magnetic north pole in an expedition planned for next year.