Moderator says: Welcome to Ice Edge web chat with record-breaking Arctic explorer Ben Saunders! Ben wll be joining us at 12.30 today, when he will answer as many of your questions as possible. Just type them into the box below and hit Send.
Moderator says: Ben has joined us now and is ready to answer your questions.
Team Sparkle says: Did you ever get scared when you were on your own in the arctic?
Ben Saunders says: Yes most days! Actually I get more scared now when I see photos and videos of myself out there.
Team Sparkle says: How close have you come to a polar bear?
Ben Saunders says: Very close, in 2001 on my first North Pole expedition I reckon about 10 metres! Which was close enough, thank you very much.
Team Sparkle says: Hi Ben, what advice would you give to a team who has some great ideas but wants to find a unique way of submitting them? What would catch your attention?
Ben Saunders says: I am bit of a geek so I think a website or maybe a video on You Tube. Some sort of multi media presentation. Or if you actually made something like a model or a prototype.
Bedgers on Ice says: What was the best thing you saw while you were there?
Ben Saunders says: Early on in the expedition some of the sunsets and sunrises were pretty amazing. I also saw the Northern Lights in Russia before the expedition. I also found a chocloate bar that I thought I had lost about six weeks into the trip - amazing!
Team Sparkle says: Do you have to be super-fit to survive in the arctic?
Ben Saunders says: You have to be very fit to drag a sledge around but not just to survive out there. Most animals have to fatten up for winter. I put on 10 kilos for my last expedition so super fit and super fat!
Team Monkey says: Where did you interest in the artic stem from?
Ben Saunders says: When I was growing up probably when I was a teenager I used to love reading about expeditions. I have always loved the snow for some reason which helps!
Effelence says: Hi Ben we are from Longbenton Community College you visited us. Do u remember. Your pic was in the newspaper
Ben Saunders says: Hi to everyone at Longbenton Community College. Thanks for being such a great audience and good luck in the competition.
The supernova's says: when you were there how many different animals did you see
Ben Saunders says: Polar Bears, Arctic Foxes, Seals and Arctic Terns. Polar Bears are now officially an endangered species and the habitat for all wildlife is under threat.
Team Monkey says: Are the ice caps ACTUALLY melting?
Ben Saunders says: In the last six years I have seen a dramatic decline in the amount and thickness of the sea ice.
Bedgers on Ice says: What effect will global warming have on the world?
Ben Saunders says: Sea level rises are a big threat. We are likely to see more extreme weather conditions, a wider spread of tropical diseases and changes in agriculture. There is also likely to be a huge impact on wildlife and eco systems.
The supernova's says: Were you in any danger whilst in the arctic?(E.g. attacked by creatures/falling)
Ben Saunders says: The three big dangers are cold weather, the risk of being attacked by a polar bear and falling through thin ice. Iwas attacked by a polar bear in 2001 but we managed to fire a shot into the air and scare him off. I also fell through the ice in 2004. I had to use the spikes on my ski pole to pull myself out - it's something I had trained for but it's pretty scary.
Effelence says: was there any time when you wanted to give up
Ben Saunders says: Yes, most days, getting out of my warm sleeping bag was pretty difficult! There were times when I fell over and was disappointed I hadn't injured myself badly enough to be rescued!
The supernova's says: Who helped you acheive your journey?
Ben Saunders says: There were three different groups. There were the people who inspired me to do it in the first place, the people who helped me organise it like the sponsors, and the people that actually worked with me on the expedition, from friends helping to pack food to the expedition manager, Tony who I'd speak to on the phone every day. I started writing to people when I was 16-17 and got a lot of good advice from my heroes. I even had a hand written letter from Sir Ranulph Fiennes who is a very famous explorer.
Effelence says: if we win will u be coming with us?
Ben Saunders says: Yes, for at least parts of the trip. I can't wait, it's one of my favourite places.
The supernova's says: Did you make an igloo to sleep in or, did you sleep in a tent?
Ben Saunders says: I slept in a tent. I don't know how to make igloos but I'd love to learn one day. I did sleep in a snow-hole once which is much easier to make - you just dig a hole in the side of a snowdrift.
The supernova's says: What did you eat whilst there?
Ben Saunders says: I ate lots, about 6000 calories a day. Breakfast was a huge saucepan full of muesli with fat in it. It wasn't as bad as it sounds. During the day I would eat specially made energy bars and had hot energy drinks and then a freeze dried meal in the evening - chicken curry, beef stew, bolognese. I also had some treats such as chocolate bars and pepperami.
The supernova's says: Did you ever have to eat or drink the snow and ice?
Ben Saunders says: I had to drink it every day and spent about 4 hours every day melting ice. It takes ages!
Team Sparkle says: What was it like reaching the North Pole?
Ben Saunders says: It was very strange for me as there is nothing there which I knew but it was still strange. Because it's sea ice it's always floating over the North Pole. I phoned my Mum, my girlfriend and the boss of the sponsor to tell them the good news and I got three answerphones!
Bedgers on Ice says: What did you miss the most?
Ben Saunders says: I missed my friends and I missed having a bath or shower. I went 72 days without a bath and with only 1 spare pair of undies. I also missed fresh meat, fruit and vegetables.
The supernova's says: What would be your 5 top tips in trying to stop the ice caps from melting?
Ben Saunders says: Reducing the amount of energy we use is important. Turning off lights, making sure the TV isn't on standby, that sort of thing. Travel as much by public transport, walking or cycling as you can. Try to talk your parents into buying a more efficient car or even to get rid of it altogether!
Bedgers on Ice says: Any valentines tips for us?
Ben Saunders says: Don't go away on an expedition for 10 weeks on your own!
Team Monkey says: Have you ever been put in a situation whereby you had to eat a huskie?
Ben Saunders says: No - not yet!
The supernova's says: Did you meet any eskimos?
Ben Saunders says: Yes I have in Greenland. I have also met natives to Siberia called the Dolgans. They are nomadic and they have reindeer that pull them around on sledges.
The supernova's says: How long will we be in the Arctic if we win?
Ben Saunders says: About 6 days. The Arctic trip will take place on 5th July to 11th July.
Ben Saunders says: Good luck to everybody and I look forward to seeing the lucky winners in the Arctic.
Moderator says: Thanks to everybody for their questions. Ben has signed off now. If you have any more questions you can submit them on the Q & A page on this website. Don't forget to complete your entries to the Ice Edge competition by March 16th. Good luck!