Bay Area Female Adventurer Attempts "Sub-Zero" Walk to North Pole

Alison Levine, a 38-year-old adventurer who has scaled the heights of Everest, is preparing for a journey that will take her 60 miles across the ice in sub-zero temperatures. Destination: The North Pole. Levine, who served as team captain of the first American Women's Everest Expedition, joins a team of polar explorers on a journey to the top of the world. This time, she trades in the usual challenges of altitude and avalanches for ice floes and polar bears.

San Francisco, CA (PRWEB) April 8, 2004 --- Bay Area Woman Leaves Corporate America Behind to Enjoy Extreme Life". Alison Levine, a 38-year-old Bay Area adventurer who has scaled the heights of Everest, will again test her determination and mental strength as she attempts to reach the geographic North Pole on foot. Alison has been chosen to join 12 other explorers from around the globe to participate in this icy adventure, which combines leadership training with physical challenge. Levine will experience some of the harshest environments known to man when she treks 60 miles across the ice in sub-zero temperatures to hone her leadership skills while testing her determination and her tolerance for physical discomfort. Alison and her team depart April 15th and will spend the next 14 days attempting to make their quest to the top of the world.

Alison was chosen to participate in the North Pole adventure because of her previous expedition experience as well as her team-building skills. She is representing an organization called 85 Broads, which is the global network of women presently and formerly employed by Goldman Sachs. 85 Broads has 3,700 members worldwide that represent over 450 companies in all sectors and industries, and focuses on networking and mentoring for women at all stages of their lives and careers.

Leadership skills are often best-learned outside the boardroom or office," says Levine. I learned a lot about leadership and judgment from climbing mountains, learning when to push toward the top and when to walk away from the deal. This ultimately helped me in my career on Wall Street. Now, I'm pushing my limits even further by heading to a frozen wasteland where teamwork and decision-making skills are crucial to the success of the journey."

Alisons upcoming arctic leadership adventure was the brainchild of Alan Chambers, the first man to lead a British team, unsupported to the North Pole. Chambers will be leading Alison's trip. It is impossible to describe in words the experience of walking to the top of the world," says Chambers. The pole is a place of paradox -- both stark and barren, yet also spell-binding in its raw beauty." Chambers has successfully completed many sub-zero projects in the past.

Alison is no stranger to physical challenge and harsh environments. In the spring of 2002, she took a leave of absence from her Wall Street career to serve as team captain of the first all-American Womens Everest Expedition. Alison's Mt. Everest team came to within 270 feet of the summit before being forced back due to a massive storm. Prior to climbing Everest she had reached the summit of the highest peak on six continents - a feat she pulled off after undergoing two heart surgeries to correct a life threatening condition called Wolff-Parkinson-White-Syndrome.

About the North Pole
The North Pole, considered the most difficult destination to reach on the planet, is the earth's northern most point. It lies in the Arctic Ocean and is usually packed with ice. Average temperatures are -40°F and can go as low as -150°F with wind chill. Robert E. Peary, an American explorer, was credited with leading the first expedition to the North Pole, arriving on April 6, 1909. More people have stood on top of Mt Everest than have reached the North Pole.

About Alison Levine
Alison Levines determination has been the subject of articles in Oprah Magazine, National Geographic, Lifetime Magazine, Outside Magazine, Sports Illustrated Woman and other national publications. Last March she received the 2003 Courage in Sports Award from the World Champion Anaheim Angels. In 2003 Levine left Wall Street to serve as Deputy Finance Director for Arnold Schwarzenegger in his successful bid to become Governor of California. She currently works as a motivational speaker covering topics that include overcoming odds, tackling fear and leading teams in difficult environments. Levine will be appearing at the Forbes Executive Womens Forum in New York on April 28th, the day she returns from the North Pole. For more information about Alison Levine and the North Pole, please visit www.alisonlevine.com.

Contact:
Alison Levine
(415)-595-3966
ali@alisonlevine.com
www.alisonlevine.com
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