Lextel editor attempts world’s first expedition in Arctic

Lextel editor Mark Agnew will attempt to kayak the Arctic’s historic Northwest Passage in July and raise £25,000 for an outdoors education charity.

Together with his three teammates (known as the Arctic Cowboys), Mark will embark on the 2,000-mile journey from Bylot Island, Nunavut, Canada on 1 July. Each day, they will kayak for 12 hours or more. If they successfully reach Tuktoyaktuk, an Inuit hamlet in Canada, 90 days later, as hoped, they will be the first people to kayak the entire route.

Sadly, this world first expedition is only possible because the ice that once blocked the route is disappearing due to climate change. The route will follow that of Sir John Franklin’s doomed voyage in 1845. That expedition met with disaster as both ships (HMS Erebus and HMS Terror) became icebound, with Franklin and his crew of 129 men perishing. Mark and his team may even pass directly over the wreck of HMS Terror.

Mark has been preparing for his expedition by kayaking on the Thames in London with the Putney Bridge Canoe Club and training with polar region expedition paddler, Jeff Allen, who has been helping him build his stamina and hone his kayaking skills at sea.

Mark Agnew

Mark first attempted to set a world record for rowing across the Atlantic in 2016, and again in 2018. He was rescued during both attempts, which led to him experiencing a mental health crisis. Getting into nature was an important part of his recovery. He is therefore aiming to raise £25,000 for Wilderness Foundation UK, a charity that helps people get into nature as a form of therapy.

“We work with children, teens and adults whose fears hold them back from trying, failing and succeeding. Mark will be setting them an example of what it looks like to give life ‘a go’,” said Jo Roberts, the charity’s CEO.

Growing up in Edinburgh, Mark was immersed in the world of adventure from a young age. His father mapped part of Greenland and Patagonia, was the first person to walk North to South across the Patagonia Ice Cap, and led expeditions to Antarctica and the Himalayas.

Many of Lextel’s clients have benefited from Mark’s energy and resilience in recent years. When not advising law firms on submissions and various content marketing initiatives, he can be found on the keynote speaking circuit (see: https://adventureagnew.com/motivational-speaker).

Firms wishing to support Mark’s latest endeavour can do so here. To learn more about his forthcoming epic adventure, watch Mark’s recent Sky News interview.

Good luck Mark!