Adventurer Hunts Down the World's Least Accessible Spots

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Chris Brown, a 64-year-old British adventurer, has set out to stand at every "pole of inaccessibility" on Earth - the points on each continent farthest from the sea, plus Point Nemo, the spot in the Pacific most distant from land. His journey has taken him to remote locations around the world, often requiring the use of armed soldiers, helicopters, and icebreakers to reach his desired destinations.

Why it matters

Brown's quest to visit the world's least accessible spots highlights the human desire to explore and conquer even the most remote and challenging locations on the planet. His expeditions shed light on the logistical challenges and risks involved in reaching these far-flung places, which are often untouched by modern development and infrastructure.

The details

To reach his desired locations, Brown double-checks coordinates with geographers and mapping software, and sometimes visits multiple candidate points to preempt online nitpicking. Some of his stops, like the pole in North America, are relatively easy to access, requiring only a couple hours' drive from the Rapid City, South Dakota, airport and a short walk. Others, like the spot in the Central African Republic, require the use of armed soldiers and a helicopter, while an icebreaker captain helped him reach his Arctic pole.

• In 2018, Brown came up with the idea for his quest while he was "part of an expedition to convene the world's highest-altitude dinner party" on Mount Everest.