www.thecourieronline.co.uk Monday 19 November 2012 Issue 1259 Free
ONE WINTER DIRECTION WARMERS REVIEW FASHION P.21 Music, p.32
Technician to tackle the “impossible” technician to undertake trek Sir •Lab Ranulph Fiennes calls “impossible” European Space Agency to chart •progress for Mars mission research By Susie Beever News Editor A University lab technician is set to say goodbye to home comforts this January, as he aims to become the first person on the planet to trek 4,000 miles to the North Pole solo. Tim Williamson, who works in the Medical School, gave an extended talk at the Hancock Museum last week describing his plans to take on what has been described by famed mountainDescribing the eer Sir Ranulph Fiennes as an “imterrain, Wilfeat. liamson said: possible” The trek will be“There are gin on 13 January, when the 26-yearearthquakes old will journey and volcanic across the unforactivity every- giving landscape day in this part of central Iceland, a test that will last of the island, up to 80 days durit’s pretty scary ing which time he will be following stuff” volcanic ridges. Tim told The Courier: “I’ll be trying to summit 15 volcanoes. I worked out the other day that I’ll be climbing twice the height of Everest.”
Williamson added that: “There are earthquakes and volcanic activity every day in this part of the island, it’s pretty scary stuff.” The hike across the North Pole will follow shortly afterwards, and will span across a grand total of 2,200 miles, taking up to 100 days in temperatures of up to -60 degrees. Williamson plans to document the trip through updates on Twitter via a solar powered smartphone linked to a satellite. 1,000 photographs are to be taken and posted on the social networking site, as well as 30 hours of footage to be filmed on camera. “The idea is to make it the most documented expedition that’s ever taken place. This technology exists but a lot of people don’t make full use of it.” Williamson explained: “Instead of the internet, I’ll be using satellites. I’ll send a message or a photo, beam it off to the satellite, which will send it back down so everyone will be able to see it.” “If you step back from the camera you just get the environment, which is why we do this sort of stuff. The best way to document it is to show what you see and what really does happen, not talk about it.” continued on page 2
Williamson’s solo journey will be chronicled on Twitter throughout using a specially designed smartphone linking him to a satellite Photo: Tim Williamson
Newcastle beats poly in Student Beans sex league tables By Aine Stott Online News Editor
In two recent Student Beans surveys Newcastle University has dramatically altered its rankings from 2011. Student Beans, a website dedicated to all things student, have released the results of two University Leagues. They procured information from 4656 students situated around the UK on the subjects of sex and drinking. Newcastle University ranked no.13 in
the Sex League, with each student having an average number of 4.72 sexual partners since beginning their studies. This beat 88 other Universities in Britain, including North East neighbours Northumbria University, who boasted 4.17 in 27th place. It also sees a dramatic rise in position from last year when Newcastle were situated 22nd. James Kolokotroni, a third year Chemistry student at Newcastle University, talked to The Courier about the
results: “I’m not surprised. Compared to my hometown of Liverpool it’s a lot easier to pull girls in Newcastle. The time I find to be most effective is between 1 and 3 am. I’ve personally enjoyed a lot of late night loving since being here.” One female Combined Honours student admitted: “Yes it is easier to go home with someone in Newcastle, maybe it’s the trebles.” However, Newcastle has strikingly sunk in the rankings of the Student
Beans Drinking League. This year Newcastle Uni fell to 37th place with an average of 18.7 units of alcohol being consumed by students each week. This sees a transformation of last year’s numbers. In 2011, Newcastle was awarded ninth place due to each student’s weekly alcohol intake being an average of 21.2 units. Alan Scholey, General Manager of Newcastle treble bar Madisons, spoke to The Courier about the change he has
noticed regarding student drinking. “More and more students recently are choosing to get slightly merry rather than completely plastered. People seem to have a better night out when they don’t over-do it on the Jaeger bombs.” He added: “What with the pressures of Uni work and the stress of achieving top notch degree results, I think students are choosing to have the odd night out every few weeks rather than getting mortal every couple of nights.”