The women of Polar Trek 2001 will cross-country ski to the North Pole, the Arctic environment that is home to the polar bear. In this section, created by Polar Trek member Sue Carter, a journalism professor at Michigan State University, you will learn about the people who made history by mounting expeditions to the North Pole -- and you will be challenged to think about what it takes to succeed. Polar Trek member Phyllis Grummon, director of University Planning for Michigan State University, provides activities that explore the concept of teamwork. We also offer some fun ways to check your own fitness and nutrition.

• Why am I doing this? - Sue Carter, the founder of WomenQuest, talks about why she is leading a team of women headed to the North Pole on cross-country skis.
• How did I train for this? - Sue Carter looks back on her training over the past seven years. What kinds of things does she do to stay fit? How do you prepare yourself for such an extraordinary journey? How would you train for this kind of trip? Included is a personal training journal yu can print out and use.
• Those who came before - A brief history of the explorers who struggled to be the first to reach the North Pole.
  • SPECIAL ASSIGNMENT FOR GIRLS (for discussion or as a writing assignment): Why has it taken so long for women to become explorers? What obstacles did women in previous eras face? Are there special attributes or skills - or concerns - that women bring to the challenge of skiing to the North Pole? Would you want to make a similar trek someday - why and why not? What goals are you setting for yourself and what must you do to prepare?
• Training for trekking - Learn about what Sue Carter did to train for the trek and find out what the women will eat on the trail. Learn more about fitness and good nutrition and begin your own training journal - are you in shape to ski to the North Pole? You can calculate your maximum training heart rate and your body mass index as well.
• Teamwork is the key to success - It takes teamwork for a group of women to reach the North Pole together on skis. This assignment provides a fun exercise that can help you see what it takes to succeed as a team.