The modified Montane jacket - click on image to see larger size

British gear manufacturer Montane has announced it is sponsoring one of the most adventurous expeditions ever mounted across the Antarctic.

The company has supplied clothing and rucksacks to Sir Ranulph Fiennes and his team for The Coldest Journey.

The team sets sail down the Thames on Thursday, bound for the frozen continent where temperatures may reach –70C.

Montane said: “Over the past six months, the Montane design and development team has worked with Sir Ranulph to create sledge jackets that will be used by himself and his team partners as they ski across Antarctica.

“The team expect to experience extremely low temperatures and the jackets have been designed to be worn whilst working hard in these hostile conditions.”

Sir Ranulph added: “The clothing worn by The Coldest Journey Expedition will include key apparel from Montane, some of it bespoke, which will keep us warm into temperatures ranging down to –70C.”

Montane brand director Paul Cosgrove said: “It has been a pleasure and an incredibly interesting project to create jackets for this team and the entire Montane team wish The Coldest Journey Expedition the best of luck in their endeavour.”

The sledge jacket is a specially adapted Montane Extreme jacket.

The expedition will attempt the first to cross the Antarctic continent in winter, and will be the largest polar expedition to leave the UK for more than 30 years.