Marshall Corwin - Serious Survival: How to Poo in the Arctic & Other Essential Tips

I am hugely indebted to a great number of people whose professionalism has ensured both the safety and success of the Serious Adventure series. They have provided invaluable insights into the setting up and smooth running of extreme expeditions, many of which are reflected in this book.

In particular, expedition leader Bruce Parry blazed the trail heading up both Serious Jungle and Serious Desert, coolly taking twelve- to fifteen-year-olds to new horizons under the round-the-clock scrutiny of the TV cameras. Bruce also kindly wrote the foreword to the book.

The expeditions company Trekforce provided logistics and safety for the original Serious Jungle expedition under MD Rob Murray John, and their great experience and expedition philosophy has informed all subsequent series.

Enormous thanks are also due to current expedition leader Ben Major plus expedition medics Dr Stephan Sanders and Dr Antonia Lile who have generously shared their knowledge and checked the information contained in this book though of course responsibility for the accuracy of all the contents remains completely mine.

Among the many others whose expertise in extreme environments has also contributed to the series are assistant leaders Emma Jay and Polly Murray; expedition coordinators Dougie Warner, Phil Ashby, Huan Davies, Michael Robinson, Greg Coe and Matt Leggett; local experts and charity partners Matty McNair, Christian Zdanowicz, Roxanne Kremer, Blythe Loutit, Mike Hearn, Fernando Cobo, Armando Castillanos, Compania de Guias de Montaa and the many local guides and rangers whose know-how has been absolutely priceless. Apologies to all those I have not been able to mention by name.

Back at base at BBC TV, I would like to thank my executive producer Reem Nouss for her wisdom and support over so many years in negotiating the editorial and safety minefield, Angela Wallis and the BBC New Talent team for their continued backing from the very start and Nigel Pickard for showing the vision and faith to commission the series in the first place.

At HarperCollins it has been an absolute pleasure to work with Myles Archibald, Julia Koppitz, Jilly Macleod and designer Nicola Croft.

Finally, a few special thanks: to all the young adventurers whose bravery, dedication and spirit of adventure have been an extraordinary example of what young people are capable of achieving; to their parents who not only brought up such talented children but trusted us to look after them in such extreme environments; and to my partner Jenny who hunted down expedition jargon in the book, and has been left so often holding our twins, born the week the series was first commissioned, as Ive constantly disappeared to some of the worlds remotest parts.

Marshall Corwin, Series Producer/Director, Serious Adventure