Topic: Bitcoins to the South Pole! (Read 14983 times)

Fair point. I did warn the community on the risk of failure though. And something was accomplished: the first transaction from Antarctica was sent. But the last thing about this expedition has not been said yet. To be continued...

Good point this wasn't such a success for the Bitcoin community not something remarkable there was no footage of him actually travelling from a certain point so he could of just been there for 5 minutes and planted the flag which is not very good.

No offense but this whole expedition was a complete fail for the bitcoin community and a waste of money.

The flag was flown on his sledge for like a few minutes then taken 2 photos? Who gives a shit, no permanent flag or installation on the south pole to put our mark on forever?

The community sponsored some random dude who didn't care for bitcoin? how about we send someone who gives a shit about monetary freedom. Someone from our community.

V poor media coverage too, not being negative just think its a fail for the community it achieved nothing other than pay off some French dude's debts which he shouldn't have taken in the first place

I gather from this site Faysal was forced to abort the expedition due to a knee injury. I'm happy he's back apparently in otherwise good condition.

It was quite interesting to read the messages he sent from his journey.

When his knee got very bad he seemed to be in some dispute with the insurance about his evacuation. At one point they asked him to put down some money. Him being in antarctica it seemed a little much to ask at that point. I was half expecting him to ask them for a Bitcoin address, but he took a different approach.

Here's the relevant passage:

Proof that this transaction was sent from Antarctica

Revealed:
1PLoYDmRWExWMr1uBgE5dcpJVRHMv1La9L 300 mBTC to 114aEAENMDwNzcaqsw6jmPpbBV1qPCkjbC salt:6fjn93251lf9vbdfaupwlfjg31097djancFHS

Transaction:
https://blockchain.info/tx/f87eaa6f7870ae3b7f677cb0929c69d1b7b2bcdf0a5e33a033aef8b05f6f68ac

Update: Faysal is now on Antarctica and he has begun skiing towards his goal: The South Pole. He is currently expected to arrive there at the end of December.
See his website which is maintained by one of his friends here:
http://transantarctic.wordpress.com/

Can someone please quote these details about the South Pole transaction?

South Pole transaction details (to be revealed):
SHA-256:
caccfcf5832ef5237562cd1e69db5954bcb7d5044282a89e6d3cfc43a4da547c

Hi all,

Just now tuning into this thread. I'm thrilled (and flattered!) that a variant of my folding wallet design + holographic tape are a part of the Serious Money south pole expedition. God rejse!

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
Hash: SHA1

15 BTC moved to cold storage
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=fOGe
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first annual Antarctic Bitcoin meetup?

Congrats to everyone involved! Can't wait for the pictures from south pole.

wohooo! thank you frankros and everyone who donated.

All the best wishes to Faysal on his crazy journey. My heart is with him.

Wow I just can't believe the flag made it on time… congratulations!

my best wishes!


not with Fayçal, with Goat!

Accepted. We should discuss best practices for this so I and others would know exactly how to act to avoid these accusations.

No, you can't go with because it's a solo trek.

I surely hope that Thorkil (Sword Smith) accepts my humblest apology.

I'm glad I was an instrumental part in making the flag aspect come to fruition, along with playing a minor role in the amassing of funds requested my Faysal (or is it Faycal?  ) so that he would carry a Bitcoin flag provided by Frankros (Reddit) to plant at the the South Pole.

Godspeed, Faysal.

~Bruno Kucinskas a.k.a. TMIBITW

Nice! Makes me proud to be a member of this community. Well done guys.

Location: Radisson Blu Hotel Waterfront, Cape Town, Republic of South Africa.
Flag was designed, made and delivered by reddit user frankros whom I have been in contact with. He lives in RSA.

can i go with

I also asked the guy who was gliding to mt everest with bitcoins...he has yet to respond

It is a paper wallet made on a cold computer printed with a photo printer and sealed with some special tape bought from bitcoinpaperwallet.com. An excellent way for the tech savvy and non-tech savvy to store bitcoins. The barrier of entry to bitcoin investments is zero with this product

And.... we have a flag. Reddit user Frankros says that it will be delivered at the hotel within one hour.

can't quite make out what I'm looking at. Some sort of bit-bills?

Awesome that your goal was reached.  I would certainly love to support this endeavour!

I am just a European bitcoin broker and adviser. And yesterday I was told that I had the best looking physical wallets in the world

I have bigger plans, though

oh, allright. I've been following loosely on reddit.

Sorry for not reading this thread thoroughly.

kudos to you for the name of your trading platform, btw (it is a trading platform, right?)

As I have stated earlier this is out of my hands. The reddit user frankros is on it: http://www.reddit.com/user/frankros

It is in his hands now and I believe he will deliver.

It seems the funds are raised, right?

Will the flag be produced and delivered in time?

There has been some confusion on the name. His name is "Fayçal Hanneche" but I have accidently written it as "Faycal Hanneche" on the sticker. The letter "ç" does not exist in Scandinavia where Fayçal has lived for many years so he has "internationalized" his name. The "international" version is Faysal, not Faycal. Faysal is also what he prefers.

This is going to be a great achievement. I can't wait to hear back from them.

Goal reached! 15 BTC donated to 1Gt1anYr6gEuiNgacFouhy4RUNQFH3YY9Y. Donations are still accepted though. Now it is up to Faycal and the ones responsible for bringing the flag to him in Cape Town.

The latest update on the mission is that it has been delayed for one day due to bad weather on the Novolazarevskaya Station in Antarctica.

I congratulate Sirius Money on such an awesome publicity stunt. I hope it'll work out and did my part by ways of a small donation.

BTC 0.46 left to reach the goal of BTC 15.

So who's going to push this over the edge quickly so the flag can be delivered on time?

I have sent you a bunch of personal information proving my connection to Faycal along with my contact information and instructions on how you can confirm my claims through the coindesk reporter who interviewed Faycal by email, Richard Boase. This should confirm that Faycal is onboard with this.

Regarding the srsmoney.com domain vs. the siriusmoney.com domain: srsmoney.com is being outfased but is currently registered at Jakob Høppermann who is a former partner in my company. He is now not involved with Sirius Money. Proof that Jakob Høppermann has been involved with my company:
http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:c4C1inaPCxkJ:guide.lokalavisen.dk/profil/sirius-money-aps-1300543+&cd=2&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=dk&lr=lang_da%7Clang_de%7Clang_en%7Clang_no

Regarding the spelling of Faycal's name, I have no idea why there exists an ambiguity. Maybe it is a non-western name which can be translated in various ways just like "Peking" and "Beijing"?

Faycal does not have the private key to 1Gt1anYr6gEuiNgacFouhy4RUNQFH3YY9Y, only I do. In the 1st post that I wrote on this, I requested an escrow (because I know the paranoia of the Grand Old Men of this forum) but none came forward so I took it upon myself. I run a Bitcoin broker business and my credibility in this community is worth a hell of a lot more than 15 BTC. Excuse my French. Besides, if there is time, you can contact Faycal and ask him if he trusts me on this.

You are welcome to dig as deep as you like (should be fun) but keep your accusations to yourself. They are potentially very damaging.

The only mistake I have made was not to sign the donation address but this address was first published in the Coindesk article so I thought that that added credibility/validity to the request.


-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
Hash: SHA1

Donate to Faycal Hanneche on:
1Gt1anYr6gEuiNgacFouhy4RUNQFH3YY9Y
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Version: GnuPG v2.0.21 (MingW32)

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I truly am perplex with why the spelling of Faysal's name was changed from the actual to Faycal and shown as such on a sticker that's going to be on his sled when all previous media, including himself, spells his name Faysal as shown on his official website.

http://transantarctic.wordpress.com/


Also, the domain srsmoney.com redirects to siriusmoney.com, although...

Best candidate I've come across for a flag:

http://www.reddit.com/r/Bitcoin/comments/1prw47/iconic_bitcoin_design_for_south_pole_needed/cd5hnyx

Hey All!

I've sold my Zippo Lighter on all continents except Africa and Antarctica. I can't think of any thing cooler than having someone at the South Pole buy a LIGHTER with bitcoins.

Here's the thread...

From Antarctica, I'd offer a discount If you send .25 btc (And this goes to anyone who is in Antarctica) I'll send you a Zippo Lighter.

PM me your address and send the btc to: 1HhY3mPvkHxz6RFEhsFwk1FDj5TMnMxu5H

I'd love for this to happen! Zippo lighter purchased from Antarctica!

Cheers!

I have relayed the information that I can. This is out of my hands now and up to the community.

Flag can be carried to the South Pole provided that it is delivered in the reception of the hotel RADISSON BLU HOTEL WATERFRONT, CAPE TOWN: http://www.radissonblu.com/hotel-capetown before Monday evening, November 4th. And provided that Faycal survives and that this mission is a success.

No it wouldn't! Jason King of Sean's Outpost does it. I've seen his work in Atlanta, and it looks pretty damn good.

~TMIBITW

Thank you for your help! I have updated the OP to contain the most recent information.

Believe I just saw it hit, Goat.

I'm committed to paying for standard expedient shipping cost to get a flag in his hands before the deadline. If we had a design and know the size and of what material it should be made of, we can get Jason King of Sean's Outpost to embroidery one.

~TMIBITW

https://bitcointalksearch.org/topic/m.3465428

We need a flag ASAP!

http://www.coindesk.com/adventurer-make-first-ever-bitcoin-transaction-south-pole/
1Gt1anYr6gEuiNgacFouhy4RUNQFH3YY9Y

I'm in.

If I'm not mistaken, the guy's selling advertising on his sled to help fund the expedition. A Bitcoin flag and purchasing something via Bitcoin while at the South Pole are afterthoughts.

http://bitflag.org/

Embroidery costs would be INSANE.

A flag could be amazing! But who has one? Does one exist?

The deadlines are November 1st for a delivery in Norway and November 4th for a delivery in South Africa.

And the part that remains is claimed as a sovereign nation by the first guy to get there yearly.

Makes sense, bud. Ironically, I think, it's best to trek to the North Pole during the winter since it's just a giant ice mass that may not exist during the summer months.

I see you put a lot thought into this, Goat. March, eh? Care to guess why this guy's going in November?

I came here to specifically ask YOU that question.

If possible, what would he buy? I'm thinking pre-ordering a pizza scheduled to coincide when he gets home.

Did somebody already mention planting a Bitcoin flag?

Interesting idea none the less. Best of luck to your friend.

What about the first bitcoin transaction from the South Pole? Could that be possible do you think? I guess they have internet on the Amundsen-Scott Base (OT: Amundsen was 1st to reach the South Pole so he should get the most credit).

rocket push and raise !

I see what you did there! You can't get nothin' passed me. 

True. But he is not a convinced bitcoiner like us - it seems to me that he might be one soon, though. He has only heard of the technology and that is what he charges for advertisement.

unfortunately its only a short time that we have left...

with more planing and time it would be possible...

isnt there a cheaper and faster solution? why 2000 bucks for a flag? you can do it cheaper and have the same advertising-effect. and then: you can pay it with your own pocket.

Thank you for your compliments regarding my grammar. I am actually Danish. This is me:
http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=49654480

And thi is my website: Sirius Money.


I agree that this is late but the guy is in Norway now and I could get things sent to him with one or two days notice. I have some bitcoin bumber stickers which may be usable but I am very open to suggestions.

I don't know who the OP is, but it's hard to trust a guy that doesn't have any grammatical errors in his posts.

Seriously, assuming the bitcoins could be raised (not outside the realm of possibilities), how likely is that an emblem can be produced and placed on his sled given that his departure date is fast approaching?

I am pledging 6.8 BTC:
Transaction:
https://blockchain.info/tx/52534586b9fd6605e520555caeea413d7528b100e3205a96a2c02814aff6d46c

Polar Expedition - Bitcoin Fundraising
Support Faysal Hanneche's mission to the South Pole


Update: Due to a knee injury, Faysal had to cancel his expedition. He did manage to take some pictures of the Bitcoin flag on Antarctica and a bitcoin transaction was made from Antarctica! The first one ever perhaps?




Bitcoin transaction made from the Antarctica:
https://blockchain.info/tx/f87eaa6f7870ae3b7f677cb0929c69d1b7b2bcdf0a5e33a033aef8b05f6f68ac



Faysal Hanneche is a French adventurer and a personal friend who completed a solo expedition to the North Pole this April and is going on a solo expedition to the South Pole this November. On his South Pole expedition, he will seek to promote Bitcoin in these three following ways:

• 1. Carry Bitcoin sticker on sled.
• 2. Purchase Pizza when on the South Pole.
• 3. Plant Bitcoin flag on South Pole.

1) The sticker has been designed and printed and is now in Faysal's possession. My company Sirius Money has donated 6.8 BTC (EUR 1000) to Faysal's mission.

Design is by Mel Warn (whitetoo on this forum).



2) Faysal has 300 mBTC on a Bitcoin wallet on an Android device which has an internet connection via satelite. His goal is to transfer 300 mBTC to me and then I will make the arrangement such that a pizza and a large coke is delivered to him at his hotel in Chile when he has returned to civilization.



3) I need help on this one if it is to succeed. Faysal is in Cape Town, South Africa at the moment and someone down there needs to get him a flag. If 15 BTC is collected, he has agreed to plant a flag on the South Pole. Faysal leaves from Cape Town on November 4th so someone needs to be very quick! He is staying on the Radisson Waterfront in Cape Town and the flag can be delivered there. But it has to be there by the afternoon on Monday November 4th. It can be delivered in the reception. Flag is now in Faysal's hands and 15 BTC have been collected. Great job and thanks for all the support! Donations are still accepted since this is a very expensive expedition for Faysal.


Update: Faysal is now on Antarctica and he has begun skiing towards his goal: The South Pole. He is currently expected to arrive there at the end of December.
See the latest posts on his website: http://transantarctic.wordpress.com/

On donations there is no refund if any or all the stated goals fail. This mission costs EUR 60'000 and much of that has been raised through other sponsors and these conditions apply to all the sponsors.


Donate to Faysal Hanneche on:
1Gt1anYr6gEuiNgacFouhy4RUNQFH3YY9Y

(Signed message below)

15 BTC collected and moved to cold storage (pun intended) whilst Faysal is in Antarctica. Donations still graciously accepted. Upon Faysal's request some of these money will be used to pay back people Faysal has borrowed money from to finance the expedition. Thorkil Værge AKA Sword Smith administrates this. For any enquiries on this, please PM me.




Latest Time Schedule

• Departure from South Africa to Antarctica: November 8-10.
• Arrival at the South Pole, bitcoin transaction and picture of flag: end of December - if all goes well pictures will be uploaded here.
• Return to civilization (Chile): End of January/start of February.

Remember that these are only estimates.




Background Information:
Coindesk article:
http://www.coindesk.com/adventurer-make-first-ever-bitcoin-transaction-south-pole/


The mission to the north Pole was about 400 km of walking with nothing but his skies to move him forward. The mission to the South Pole will be 3500 km and he will use kites and sails while on skies to carry him forward when the wind allows it. This is not possible on the North Pole since there are cracks and icy hills in the way all the time.

If Faysal manages to go solo to the South Pole, he will become the first to visit both poles in one year on a solo mission.

This is how you cross Antarctica:
http://youtu.be/FNHJPCTA36g - Insanely cool footage of Faysal
(was made in 2011 where he unfortunately did not manage to get enough support for his expedition)

Video from North Pole expedition: http://youtu.be/33n5fIXBrSA

Evening news of the biggest channel in France, TF1:
http://videos.tf1.fr/jt-we/2013/apres-le-pole-nord-il-part-a-la-conquete-du-pole-sud-8294890.html

Other French feature. Also some cool footage
http://youtu.be/uSNqC0gFylw

Short article:
http://www.globalpost.com/taxonomy/term/48773 (English)

Camp settlement during training:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mb-cb1yQpnE

Portrait in French:
http://www.unmondedaventures.fr/faysal-hanneche-portrait/

Feature and portrait in French:
http://rhone-alpes.france3.fr/2013/08/26/faysal-hanneche-aventurier-bi-polaire-307179.html
http://www.directmatin.fr/sport/2013-04-22/il-veut-rallier-seul-les-deux-poles-en-moins-dun-447381



Signed Messages



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1Gt1anYr6gEuiNgacFouhy4RUNQFH3YY9Y
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-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
Hash: SHA1

15 BTC moved to cold storage
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-----END PGP SIGNATURE-----

South Pole transaction details (to be revealed):
SHA-256:
caccfcf5832ef5237562cd1e69db5954bcb7d5044282a89e6d3cfc43a4da547c

Revealed:
1PLoYDmRWExWMr1uBgE5dcpJVRHMv1La9L 300 mBTC to 114aEAENMDwNzcaqsw6jmPpbBV1qPCkjbC salt:6fjn93251lf9vbdfaupwlfjg31097djancFHS