Watch BBC2's Blizzard: Race to the Pole

This is sure to capture your imagination if you're a wannabe explorer.  Check out the BBC’s latest epic offering ‘Blizzard: Race to the Pole’ which hit viewers’ screens last Sunday on BBC2 and provided some cooling respite for those suffering in this summer’s heat.  ‘Blizzard’ follows two teams of plucky modern-day explorers on an immense journey, re-enacting the 1911-12 race between Scott and Amundsen across the Great White Continent of Antarctica to reach the South Pole.  This time around Bruce Parry (from BBC2’s amazing Tribe series) leads the Brits in their quest to beat Rune Gjeldnes’ Norwegian team.  Both teams have used the same equipment, clothing and food available early last century to Scott and Amundsen.  It's all quite exciting as the journey is a staggering 2,500 km long in sub-zero conditions and the members of this expedition experience first hand the chilling truth behind the race to the South Pole.

As dogs are no longer permitted in the delicate environment of Antarctica the race has taken place in Greenland, however bears remarkable similarities to the original quest in the experiences and hurdles encountered by today’s explorers.  Whilst following the modern-day teams across the ice, Blizzard also feature interviews with historians, explorers and biographers.  Click here to see programme clips from the first two episodes.  Make sure to tune in Sundays and Wednesdays at 9pm!