13.02.2014

Coldest Journey at Vertikal Days

The UK crane and equipment rental association CPA has announced that ‘Coldest Journey’ team members, Spencer Smirl and Richmond Dykes will present the Stars of the Future plant mechanic apprentice awards at Vertikal Days later this year.

Led by Sir Ranulph Fiennes, the ‘Coldest Journey’ expedition set out to achieve the world’s first attempt to cross the Antarctic during winter. Engineers Smirl and Dykes of Finning Engineers spent 307 days maintaining and operating the two CAT D6Ns throughout the 2,000 mile journey. The two manoeuvred across crevasse fields and blue ice towing scientific equipment and accommodation units, facing winds of up to 125kph and a wind chill of minus 88 degrees.

CPA’s training manager Haydn Steele said: “Spencer and Richmond are the perfect candidates to present the Stars of the Future awards. Their experiences in sub-zero temperatures keeping the Caterpillar machines working will be an inspiration to the students embarking on a career in plant mechanics!"
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(L-R) Richmond Dykes with Spencer Smirl

Dykes said: “This industry is nothing without talent and people that are passionate about what they do. I am a great believer in recognising and supporting ‘Stars of the Future’ and know first-hand that with the right attitude and skills development, you can be well equipped for even the coldest of journeys. I hope that by being involved in the awards, both Spencer and myself will help to raise their profile and inspire the next generation of engineering talent and who knows, perhaps one day they will be lucky enough to complete the coldest journey.”
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One of the two CAT D6N track-type tractors used in the Coldest Journey expedition Antarctic journey

The Stars of the Future programme is intended to recognise the achievements of young apprentices and is open to any Level 2 and Level 3 plant mechanic apprentices. Last year’s inaugural Stars of the Future programme ran during the 2012/13 academic year and attracted 489 entries throughout the UK.