> Geograpic North Pole is not the true north pole

You probably confuse it with magnetic north pole? Geographic IS the real North Pole :)

London, UK,

are you kidding me? it does not matter if he got there by magic wand or teleporter. just look at that picture: there is a man in speedo plunging on the pole. a more dramatic statement on global warming is sure to come, but this is a huge first warning.

antonio, vancouver, canada

Why are all you people so critical about the actual position of the swim when it is the overall incredulity that you should be thinking about? Most humans have not - and could not - even swim in water less that 50 degrees F, let alone about 30 degrees. Mr. Pugh should be celebrated for his actions, not scorned.

Louisa, New York, USA

"I'm astounded at the hypocrisy of it all.

I mean, it's not like he cycled down there, did he? Or maybe he took the train? Or did he donate 50 trees to 'offset' his now surely enormous 'carbon footprint'?

Thanks for making us 'aware'. And now, please leave us alone.

Heike V, London, "

Erm, Heike, how is "hitching a lift" on a ship already travelling to the North Pole creating a carbon footprint?

Get a grip.

N Butler, London, UK

um, the article said that he "hitched" there on a boat. so probably yes, the weight of this guy probably caused a multiple-ton marine vessel to use somewhat more fuel.. but were you aware before hearing about this that the north pole is melting? repeat, the north pole is melting. no, it's not the magnetic one, rather it's the one that the earth rotates around. By the modern navigational system, the magnetic north pole is south of the geographic north pole, the latter being reached by going in the direction of "true north".
Granted, his ecological footprint was probably increased by the amount of food he ate in order to do this, but I feel it was worth it to raise awareness and enable an impressive personal achievement. Really, that's what food is for. I'm going to plant a tree in the name of north pole swimmers.

Ted Tibbetts, Montreal, Quebec, Canadia

Thank you, Mr. Hamilton, for informing us that polar bears are unable to swim through solid ice. I never would have guessed.

Robert Ulph, London, UK

Andrew of Dubai; "Fantastic achievement... but not sure if the purpose it serves is right".

And what is not "right" about highlighting the potentially damaging & irreversible changes that are happening to the planet?!?

However special mention must go to Heike of London who is "astounded by the hypocrisy of the whole thing"(?) & "wants to now be left alone". I suggest the North Pole?

People......?

Keith, London,

Geographic is the true 'top of the world', the one "further south" is the geomagnetic, both are north poles but in different senses. Still the point is, it was very cold and the ice is melting - fast!

Catherine, London,

There is no historical, only hysterical, data to support the contention that the polar ice caps are diminishing. During summer, as in any other locale, things warm up. Some years it is warmer than others. There have been many years in the recent past when this feat was possible, and many when it was not-and there will be many in the future when it is both possible and not. Despite yearly ups and downs general global warming- and global cooling - trends cover hundreds and thousands of years, are in very limited ranges, and cancel each other out. This is due to the fact that sunspot activity, not human activity, is the determining factor in global temps. The global warming myth is a convenient tool for the fearmongers who wish to control human behavior. If you fall for it, you are enlisting in the junk science crusade to the benefit of the tyrants who play upon your fears to control your life. Hitler had his Jews, Stalin his kulaks and the global warmers now want their capitalists.

Jim Plank, folsom, ca

Actually, the magnetic north pole is further south than the Geographic north pole. The geographic north pole is the northern end of the axis about which the world spins. The magnetic north pole is where the north end of a compass points (so it's actually the "south" end of this big magnet called earth). Any more people lacking Junior High School Education here? Actually very surprising. I had no idea that the the North Pole is actually melting that severely. Whoa! I'm in awe of all those people who think climate change is a farce. Spend a year in a city that has like 10 more or less smog-free days a year. Then realise how many cities there are like this all over the world. Duh we affect the environment, silly.

Chad, Beijing, China

Heike, he hitched a lift!

'Geograpic North Pole is not the true north pole...is much further south. Still very cold water -- but misleading statement as most people would think of real North Pole'

Um, no. Geographic North is exactly where everyone would think it was. Now, magnetic North would be a different kettle of (less cold?) fish.

Impressed, Camberley,

Something similar was achieved by Lynne Cox in Antarctica several years ago... this is pretty impressive but not really a first! And as already mentioned hardly environementally friendly getting a whole team down there and the support boats required in such a fragile environment.

Jeni , Aberdeen,

Might we now call a halt to televised events at the north pole and other fragile environments? I fail to understand how these events raise awareness, as they can only seen by individuals who have access to media that is full of of the information about climate change? However you get to the photo opportunity , sorry awareness raising event, you are part of the problem and nothing to do with the solution. stop it, for all our sakes.

andy, Eastbourne, UK

To Canada in Ottowa: The geographic north pole is located at the northermost point of the axis of rotation of the earth, and is generally called the "true" north pole, also sometimes called the terrestrial north pole. The magnetic north pole is the one that is farther south, in Canada, at about 83 degrees north. While the geographic north pole is stationary (relative to the earth's surface), the magnetic north pole is moving, at a rate of about 40 km/year, and is currently moving NW toward Siberia.

Renee, Boalsburg, PA, USA

mad polar bears and englishmen swim out in the midnight sun?

bt, singapore,

I could do with getting in there now. I have a seriuos monday hangover.

Christopher , Chelmsford, England

Fantastic achievement... but not sure if the purpose it serves is right.

andrew, Dubai, U.A.E

I'm astounded at the hypocrisy of it all.

I mean, it's not like he cycled down there, did he? Or maybe he took the train? Or did he donate 50 trees to 'offset' his now surely enormous 'carbon footprint'?

Thanks for making us 'aware'. And now, please leave us alone.

Heike V, London,

Wow, I am seriously impressed. This is much harder than I think many people realise. And what a fantastic way to highlight global warming.

Mike Adams, Madrid, Spain

Geograpic North Pole is not the true north pole...is much further south. Still very cold water -- but misleading statement as most people would think of real North Pole

Canada, Ottawa, Canada

bravo,
its hard to imagine anyone other than an Englishman even attempting this! and perfectly hilights the issue.

ed, new york, ny USA