On March 7, 1986, the seven men and one woman of the Steger International Polar Expedition set out by dogsled to reach the North Pole. Their spectacular feat of daring, courage, and commitment was deemed by National Geographic to be a "landmark in polar exploration." The melting of the polar ice cap makes it unlikely that anyone will repeat their achievement.

Will Steger, a spokesman for the preservation of the Arctic and Antarctic, has led several record-setting dogsled expeditions in both areas. He is a winner of the National Geographic John Oliver La Gorce Medal.