“On Thin Ice: An Epic Final Quest into the Melting Arctic” Wins Gold

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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“On Thin Ice: An Epic Final Quest into the Melting Arctic” Wins Gold

Eric’s Larsen’s epic tale of adventure, struggle, and survival on the Arctic Ocean is Gold Medalist in the 21st Annual Independent Publisher Book Awards

(FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE) — Eric Larsen’s “On Thin Ice: An Epic Final Quest into the Melting Arctic”, co-written with Hudson Lindenberger, continues to earn widespread praise. The book recently snagged top honors in the 21st Annual Independent Publisher Book Awards, receiving the Gold Medalist award in the sports/fitness/recreation category.

Launched in 1996, the “IPPY Awards” (as it’s nicknamed) honors the best independently published books in a broad range of subjects. Larsen’s “On Thin Ice”, along with the other IPPY medal-winning books, will be celebrated on May 30th during the annual BookExpo publishing convention in New York.

On Thin Ice is an adventure narrative unlike any other, recounting the incredible 2014 expedition by Larsen & his expedition partner Ryan Waters, who successfully traversed nearly 500 miles across the melting Arctic Ocean, unsupported and unaided, from Northern Ellesmere Island to the geographic North Pole. This is considered one of the most difficult expeditions on the planet that may be the last of its kind. Because of changing ice conditions and a shrinking logistics window, Larsen’s and Waters’ trip is expected to be the last human-powered trek to the North Pole, ever.

Larsen’s first-person narrative of the intense physical and emotional demands is beautifully accompanied by stunning full-color photos. Traveling across the retreating sea ice on skis, snowshoes, and even swimming through semi-frozen arctic slush, Larsen and Waters each pulled over 320 pounds of gear behind them on sleds through temperatures that plummeted to 40 degrees below zero. They regularly faced severe windstorms, pressure ridges, and moving ice that pushed them backwards. And along the way, they were stalked by polar bears and ran out of food.

Jim Barnes, Director and Head of Judging, Independent Publisher Book Awards, comments: “This book uses dramatic storytelling and vivid photography to chronicle an amazing journey by two men pushing themselves to the limit. Saving our planet is a matter of life and death, and Larsen and Waters risk their lives to make us all believe it. Just like their expedition, the book is precise in its execution and deadly serious, but filled with heart and hope.”

“Receiving this IPPY award is an incredible honor,” adds author Eric Larsen. “My mission with this book, along with all of the expeditions I do, is to connect people to the planet’s last great frozen places and to raise awareness around the environmental issues that are impacting them. This award will help bring this important story to a larger global audience.”

On Thin Ice can be purchased on Amazon.com and in bookstores around the country.

Polar adventurer, expedition guide, and educator, Eric Larsen has spent the past20 years traveling in some of the most remote and extreme environments on the planet. To date, Eric has completed more North and South Pole expeditions than any other American in history.

Eric Larsen’s expeditions are made possible by Garmin with major support from Granite Gear, Helly Hansen, Mountain Safety Research, and Allied Feather and Down.

Additional support is provided by UCO, Therm-A-Rest, ExOfficio, Zeal Optics, Skratch Labs, Stanley, Yaktrax, Thule, Jlab Audio, Oberto, Ripcord, Iridium, and Wigwam.###