As the world prepares to mark five years since COVID-19, which brought everyone to a grinding halt, we at Vanguard Self Storage are reflecting on our own milestone, five years of supporting polar explorer Alex Hibbert. This anniversary brings renewed hope that the eagerly awaited Dark Ice Project, which was postponed due to the pandemic, can finally take steps to move forward and transform Arctic Ocean access.
Our partnership with Alex has involved providing him with essential storage space, free of charge, for his expedition equipment. Although the Dark Ice Project was grounded, we’ve been proud that our support has enabled Alex to continue his work in the Arctic, undertaking other journeys and pushing forward with vital research and development.
Before the pandemic, Alex and his team prepared to attempt to reach the North Pole during the Arctic’s dark winter season. Although they could have accessed the ice during COVID-19, border closers meant extraction would have been impossible, so the mission became untenable.
Despite the disappointment for all involved, Alex has spent the last five years undertaking endurance training and lower-budget expeditions across the north, including Alaska, Iceland and Canada’s Arctic territories. During his time in freezing conditions, he has undertaken research and development work including designing innovative snowshoes and composite sledges to help others in extreme environments.
Recognising the impact and demands of Alex’s ongoing work, we've continued to support him by providing a complimentary, secure 150 sq. ft. storage unit for his specialist equipment.
As our Senior Head of Operations, Ben Thilthorpe, explains, “Alex has dedicated his life to pushing limits and boundaries, forging his adventurous path rather than following in the footsteps of previous explorers. We have been very honoured to support him, and we are excited to hear that the original Dark Ice Project might still become a reality.
“As a company, we are committed to supporting bold, transformative projects that align with our values and give back to the community.”
Reflecting on the past five years of working with Vanguard, Alex commented, “Vanguard’s unwavering and ongoing support has been vital in underpinning my quests. Knowing that the tools of my trade - my equipment - are stored safely means I can concentrate on training and planning logistics for new missions. It’s peace of mind.
“I’m working on plans to reignite the Dark Ice Project, focusing on advanced technical developments and a new logistics framework. With private aircraft gone, Arctic access is limited to only costly transport options. I’m developing efficient amphibious vehicles that refuel via floating eco-fuel spheres, aiming to transform access to the Arctic Ocean.”
While Alex remains focused on the Arctic, he admits that if he ever took a break from the ice, he’d love to expand on his zoology passions from university and spend time among the wildlife of Sub-Saharan Africa - a stark contrast to the extreme cold he typically faces.
For updates on Alex’s training, insights into his work and expedition progress, visit YouTube, Instagram or X.
