Southern Journey: In November 2006 a four man team of Royal Navy Marines set out on a 2,800 kilometre, 65-day, return ski to the geographical South Pole. They successfully completed the expedition, survived to tell the tale and recently updated us on their trip. Here's how they got on.

The trek was aimed at the more experienced ranks of the Naval service and their outstanding achievement saw them meet all of their expedition objectives and set the following records.

They became:

• The first service Expedition to reach the South Pole since Captain Scott in 1912
• The first British military 2,000 mile return journey to the South Pole in history
• The first Royal Marines to walk unsupported to the South Pole
• Part of only 8 Britons to have ever completed the overland ski journey into and out of the Pole

Critical to the success or failure of the expedition was the selection of suitable, reliable and proven clothing and equipment. In helping the Marines achieve their objectives and be record breakers, Vango supported the expedition by supplying a 4 person Storm Shelter, capable of withstanding the extreme conditions they encountered and five of Vango's elite Fitzroy mountain rucsacs - renowned for their comfort, stability and reliability in the most extreme environments. In addition, Vango staff offered invaluable advice on how to get the best out of all equipment supplied.

Captain Sean Chapple of the Royal Marines and Expedition Leader for Polar Quest said,

"Taking a rest break in Antarctica at minus 40 degrees Celsius in 30 knot winds is not pleasant, unless you have a Stormshelter. This really was a mission critical piece of equipment. To embark on a record-breaking ski return journey to the South Pole is a high risk and ambitious undertaking. The team must fit, the fiances must be in order and equipment must have the right features. The support of Vango to the Polar Quest expedition was pivotal in ensuring that we got the equipment bit spot on."