Jonthan Kattenberg’s
BRITISH RECORD BREAKING ATTEMPT
TO THE SOUTH POLE
INFORMATION PACK
“THIS IS MORE THAN JUST A PHYSICAL CHALLENGE – THIS IS A PLATFORM TO INSPIRE OTHERS”
British adventurer’s greatest challenge
Jonathan Kattenberg is currently training for a record-breaking attempt to reach the South Pole unsupported in December 2027.
Pride of Britain
Jonathan Kattenberg will be attempting to break the world record for trekking solo to the South Pole
Be part of the challenge
Be part of the event. A unique promotional platform for businesses, charities, and individuals, starting from just £500
Project
Life
Defining limits beyond age 50 demonstrating age is not a constraint to achieving your goals – supporting men’s mental health
Raising funds to help support vulnerable children
Helping support children who have fled domestic abuse
Jonathan Kattenberg, AKA, “Bear Man,” is one of the UK’s leading adventurers. He spends much of his time climbing mountains and trekking through forests and alpine deserts, as part of his work providing trekking adventures across the world.
At 55 years old, his fitness level is comparable to a man half his age. As part of his training regime he can regularly be spotted dragging one, sometimes two, car tyres from ropes attached to his waist for several miles. The purpose is to simulate the pulk (sled) he will be pulling when in 2027 he will be attempting to break the world speed record for trekking solo to the South Pole.”
The reason behind this gruelling journey that will test him both physically and mentally, is two-fold; to inspire others by demonstrating that life can be even more exciting when you reach middleage, and to never give up on your dreams, and to help provide support for charities that are close to his heart.
“I want to do it for me, but there’s a lot of other reasons too.”
WHY DO IT?
In December 2027, British Adventurer, Jonathan Kattenberg will be attempting to break the world speed record for trekking solo to the South Pole.
Jonathan’s aim is to beat the current record holder, Frenchman, Vincent Colliard, who completed the trek in an incredible 22 days, 6 hours and 22 minutes. Jonathan said, “I want to do this for me, obviously, but there are several other reasons. I want my sons to be proud of their dad, I want to show that a man in his 50’s can achieve it, I want to raise awareness of the great cause I am supporting, and I want to do something for Great Britain.”
Whilst I will be seeking big brand sponsors, it’s important to me that others can benefit from this and be part of the adventure. Whether it’s charities, companies, or individuals, I want people to feel inspired and to know that they are also making a difference to others who are vulnerable.
“I usually say it’s not about speed, but this time it is”
SOUTH POLE RECORD ATEMPT 2027
THE CHALLENGE
A 715 mile journey of inspiration
Jonathan Kattenberg, AKA “Bear Man,” will be covering 690 miles (1,110 kilometres) starting at the Hercules Inlet in Antarctica, a narrow imposing, ice-filled inlet at the southern end of the Zumberge Coast and the north-western end of Queen Elizabeth Land. He will endure some of the planet’s most extreme conditions as he treks to the where Earth’s axis meets its surface.
Jonathan Kattenberg training near Upper Derwent Valley reservoir
Trained by an elite expert, he will will face frostbite, snow blindness, hypothermia, dehydration and altitude sickness, as he walks alone on a journey that will test his endurance both physically and mentally, spending nights in a tent with temperatures reaching as low as -78F degrees (-60C degrees).
As he undertakes this test of determination, he will be accompanied by his sons’ two toy bears, promoting the importance of being a good male role model and father, raising awareness of the charities he is supporting, and hopefully inspiring others to follow their dreams – whatever their age.
SOUTH POLE RECORD ATTEMPT 2027
Raising awareness of the impact of domestic abuse on children
One of the charities that Jonathan will be raising awareness of is the national children’s charity, KidsOut. The charity helps bring a little fun and happiness to children who along with their mothers have fled domestic abuse and find safety in women’s refuges. The children will have witnessed or experienced emotional, violent, or sexual abuse, and usually arrive in refuge traumatised and with no possessions. Every year in the UK over 20,000 children arrive in women’s refuges.
Children who have witnessed or experienced domestic abuse often face ongoing mental health challenges in adulthood, including eating disorders, depression and anxiety, substance and/or alcohol abuse, they may also self harm, and in extreme cases take their own lives. It is Jonathan’s mission to help raise funds to provide professional mental health support for these children.
The charity, which is now in its 35 year, helps to support these vulnerable youngsters by showing them they are valued. In addition to providing a box of brand-new toys for children arriving in refuge and toys from Santa at Christmas, throughout the year the charity also takes the children on fun days out to places like the cinema, the zoo, picnics, the seaside, pantomimes, and the circus. Plus children can take part in wellbeing activities where they can learn skills that helps to build their self-esteem.
To date, KidsOut have provided over 1.1 million fun and wellbeing days out for children in refuge and other disadvantaged and vulnerable children. For more information about KidsOut visit www.kidsout.org.uk
If you are a charity and would like to raise awareness of your cause, please contact Jonathan at Walking With My Bear
“I want others to enjoy being part of this adventure, as well as know that they will help change children’s lives.”
“I will continue to prove that age is not a barrier”
“People over 50 often tell me that they are struggling mentally – that they think the best years of their lives are over. I see it even more so in men. They are wrong. It is one of the reasons I set up Walking With My Bear adventures. I have a postgraduate degree in clinical evidence based hypnotherapy soI understand how negative thoughts can limit potential, so when I reached my 50’s I chose to ignore those who said I would not be able to achieve what I said I would do and I have long since proved them wrong. I have also helped hundreds of others achieve what they never thought was possible. I will reach the South Pole and I am determined that I will beat the world record. I really hope it inspires others, especially men.”
Become a sponsor for free!
Thinking of booking a corporate or charity trek?
Book a trek with us and you’ll also appear as a sponsor of the South Pole Challenge.
When you book your trek with Walking With My Bear from now until 2028, you’ll automatically become a brand sponsor of the South Pole Challenge.
Enjoy the benefits of your brand or messaging included in this British world record-breaking attempt.
If you would like your organisation to be represented by Jonathan as part of this incredible event, please contact Jonathan or Walking With My Bear and let’s see how we can maximise our relationship.
Choose from lots of exciting overseas and UK treks with Jonathan at Walking With My Bear
SOUTH POLE RECORD ATTEMPT 2027
You can be part of
British history
for just £500!
You too can be part of this world record attempt. For just £500, your name or brand can be added to Jonathan’s pulk (sled) that he will be pulling to the South Pole, plus a certificate of your involvement. Not only this, you or your nominated brand, charity, or person, will be included on a unique live map of Antarctica, covering this record-breaking attempt that will be raising awareness of good causes, including supporting some of the UK’s disadvantaged children.
You will also be able to take part in a live ZOOM chat with Jonathan leading up to and after the event.
For more information on sponsoring Jonathan’s epic adventure download the information pack:
INFORMATION PACK
“Growing up I always wanted to be an adventurer, but the sense that it was for the more privileged or for those with military training always stuck in my mind. Now, thousands of miles later I want to show others that with commitment you can achieve something amazing”