Quick Guide for Media

The purpose of PECS is primarily to classify, label and compare unmotorised polar journeys by providing a system of definitions and terminology to enable a standardised language and narrative. Once in the public domain it is incumbent on both the practitioner and the media to report accurately using PECS terminology. Only in this way can the essence of a journey be told, and equitably compared with other achievements.

PECS has identified six primary descriptors that define the core of a journey and each must be included in a label and narrative to provide a complete picture.

1. Region

The polar area/objective in which the journey will occur.

Examples:

1. A solo unsupported ski crossing of Antarctica

2. A full North Pole dogsled expedition

2. Solo or team. In the absence of ‘solo' in a label, ‘team' is implied. Full definition

Examples:

1. A solo unsupported ski crossing of Antarctica

2.A full North Pole dogsled expedition

3. Aid. Is the journey supported or unsupported? In the absence of ‘unsupported' in a label, ’supported' is implied.

Examples:

1. A solo unsupported snowkite crossing of Antarctica

2. A full North Pole dogsled expedition

4. Mode of Travel. How a journey will travel across the ice - ski, snowkite, dogsled etc.

Examples:

1. A solo unsupported ski crossing of Antarctica

2. A partial snowkite inner circumnavigation of Greenland

5. Margins. The start and end points of a journeys help identify the ‘fullness' of a journey. In the absence of ‘full’, non-seaward coastlines are implied. Full definition (link)

Examples:

1. A full unsupported ski crossing of Antarctica

2. A North Pole dogsled expedition

6. Path. The geometry of a route between its margins. [e.g. Expedition, Return Expedition, Crossing, Circumnavigation etc.]. Full definition (link).

Examples:

1. A solo unsupported ski crossing of Antarctica

2. A full North Pole dogsled expedition

Athletes and media have an obligation to tell a truthful story, to do justice to both the journey and the media outlet. Neglecting to include or imply one or more of these descriptors in a label and its narrative immediately renders the story as incomplete and not comparable with other journeys.