To the North Pole And Back: Explorer Tom Avery

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WHAT DID YOU do do on your last vacation? At 33 years old, Tom Avery, who trained as an accountant, has trekked the North and South poles on foot, climbed innumerable mountains, got his name into the Guinness Book of World Records and met the queen of England. He's also written a book, "To the End of the Earth," detailing his team's attempt to conquer the North Pole using the same dogs, sleds and specifications used in U.S. Naval Cmdr. Robert Peary and explorer Matthew Henson's 1909 climb, more for Peary's glory than his own. Avery discusses his journey at the National Geographic Society on Friday, and on Monday, the 100th anniversary of Peary and Henson's trek, he will head up a commemorative ceremony for the explorers at their Arlington National Cemetery grave sites.

» EXPRESS: Where does this passion for climbing come from?
» AVERY: I don't know. I mean, for me, it really began when I first read about these great characters from the past, these amazing exploreres in history. I guess I was captivated by their stories, and I wanted to experince a bit of what they had.

» EXPRESS: You couldn't just read about it?
» AVERY: It's a combination of that and my passion for snow. Ever since I was a child, I've been infatuated by snow, and I still am. It's quite sad, really. ... I guess I was an adventurous child who liked climbing up bookshelves and trees.

» EXPRESS: How does one get to the North Pole on foot?
» AVERY: The South Pole, we went on foot — we traveled with sleds, on skis.

» EXPRESS: So, you're cross-country skiing while yanking on a sled.
» AVERY: That's it. You're pulling what is, effectively, a bathtub through what is basically a sandpit.
The North Pole was very different, because what we set out to do was to re-create the incredible journey made by Peary and Henson, these amazing explorers who, in 1909, claimed to have conquered the North Pole. … We used the same method of dog teams.

» EXPRESS: You're out of poles — what's next?
» AVERY: Once you've done both poles, there are no more poles. That's where I've turned my attention next, back to the mountains.

» National Geographic Society, 17th & M streets NW; Fri., April 3, 7:30 p.m., $18; 202-857-7700. (McPherson Square/Farragut West)
» Arlington National Cemetery, Memorial Bridge, Virginia side; Mon., April 6, 10 a.m.,(703) 607-8000. (Arlington Cemetery)

Photo courtesy Tom Avery