David Hempleman-Adams has completed more than thirty major expeditions around the world and in September 2003 became the first person to cross the Atlantic solo in an open wicker basket balloon after enduring more than 84 hours of cold and surviving sleep deprivation, hail, high winds and snow.

In 1983 he attempted a solo expedition to the Geographical North Pole, the attempt failed when, after 230 miles, he cracked several ribs and had to watch his food supplies dwindle whilst sitting out a severe ten-day storm. In 1984 he was the first person to successfully complete a solo expedition to the Magnetic North Pole without the support of dogs, snow mobiles or air supplies. In 1992 he lead the first team to walk unsupported to the North Geomagnetic Pole. In all he has lead some seven Arctic expeditions and is only the third Briton to have climbed all the seven continental summits.

In 1996 he became the first Briton to walk solo and unsupported to the South Pole and sailed to the South Magnetic Pole, becoming the first person to do so in the same year. He also led the Ultimate Challenge, a team of novices, to ski to the Magnetic North Pole, gaining some notable firsts. Again becoming the only person to ever reach both North and South Magnetic Poles in one year.

On 29th April 1998 David reached the North Geographic Pole and in so doing completed the Adventurers 'Grand Slam': he has climbed the highest mountain on each continent and reached the North and South Geographic and Magnetic Poles.