Announcing the Outer Edge Polar Challenge

The North Pole season is only just ended, and the Antarctic season is still months away, but it is never too early to start looking ahead. Outer Edge magazine, an Australian publication that I once wrote for, has released the teaser video below announcing the Outer Edge Polar Challenge, which will be taking place this November. While not a whole lot of details are shared, it appears that participants in the challenge will be attempting to break the current world ice sailing speed and distance record in unsupported fashion.

The plan is to cross more than 4000 km (2485 miles) of frozen expanse, starting at the ALCI Airbase in East Antarctica and proceeding towards the South Pole, and back, via a fuel depot and the Pole of Inaccessibility. Along the way, they hope to also set a record for furthest distance traveled in a 24-hour period.

I'm sure we'll hear much more about this is the weeks ahead. It'll be interesting to see how things unfold, and of course I'll be following their progress closely in November.

Meet Adventure Legend Mike Horn

Last week I told you about Mike Horn's plans to climb Makalu, before launching a new expedition to circumnavigate the globe via both the North and South Pole. This past weekend, Mike and his climbing partner Fred Roux, arrived in Base Camp, and are now acclimatizing before launching their alpine style ascent in the Himalaya. As they prepare to get underway, a profile of the South African explorer has been posted to the Red Bull blog.

For those who aren't familiar with Mike's resume, he has, amongst other things, already visited both Poles, climbed several 8000 meter peaks, swam the length of the Amazon, and circumnavigated the globe at the equator, completely under his own power.

In the interview, he talks about such wide ranging things as what he eats for breakfast, the challenges of climbing an 8000 meter peak vs. traveling to the Poles, and the difference in facing Amazon crocs and Polar bears. He even tells the tale of how a polar bear once sat on him while he was in his tent. The bear was searching for food in his sled, and didn't even realize that the explorer was there.

Mike reaffirms something that I have been saying for some time. A journey to the North Pole on foot, could possibly be the toughest challenge in the world of adventure today. It is just such a herculean task to undertake, and it is one that he has already completed, but will attempt again next year.

All in all, the brief interview is an entertaining read to say the least.

Video: Recapping The Epic Scott Expedition Across Antarctica

Throughout the Antarctic expedition season that ended a few weeks back, we followed Ben Saunders and Tarka L'Herpiniere as they attempted to follow in the footsteps of legendary explorer Robert Falcon Scott. The aptly named Scott Expedition took them to the South Pole and beyond, covering some 1795 miles (2888 km) in the process. The video below is a 5+ minute recap of that amazing adventure that pushed Ben and Tarka to their physical and mental limits. In the end, they were able to complete their goals, but not without struggling with poor surface conditions, subzero temperatures and unpredictable weather. Here's a glimpse of what they endured.

Video: There And Back Again With The Scott Expedition

Last week, Ben Saunders and Tarka L'Herpiniere completed their epic journey across Antarctica following the route that Robert Falcon Scott took a century earlier. The boys are still stranded at Union Glacier while they wait for the skies to clear long enough for them to make a flight back to Punta Arenas, and then eventually home. In the meantime, I thought you might enjoy the video below, which is a short overview of the expedition and some of the challenges they faced along the way.

Antarctica 2013: The Scott Expedition Is Complete

After more than 105 days out on the ice, during which they covered a grueling 1795 miles (2888 km), Ben Saunders and Tarka L'Herpiniere have completed the Scott Expedition. The journey, which began back in November, was an attempt to follow in the footsteps of Robert Falcon Scott, and finish his Terra Nova expedition, the route that he perished on in the Antarctic more than a century ago.

Ben and Tarka reached their ending point earlier today, but even in their final push back to the coast along the Ross Ice Shelf, things were more challenging than they had expected. After enduring harsh weather, sub-zero temperatures and whiteout conditions for more than three months, the Antarctic decided to test them once more. A final storm delayed their start and tested their resolve to the end. But, the lads are now safe and sound, and more than ready to come home.

An official announcement of their achievement can be read here. We're told that Ben will post his debrief shortly, although he and Tarka are probably enjoying some much deserved rest in the relative comfort of a polar research station at the moment. Soon they'll be on their way back home, but for now they are like to be content just knowing they can relax for a time.

The completion of this expedition brings the curtain down on the 2013-2014 Antarctic season. It has certainly been an eventful one filled with all kinds of inspiring adventures. It seems that each year, more and more people are skiing to the South Pole, and while those expeditions have become more common, the challenge is still an incredible one. Congratulations to all of the explorers who traveled in the Antarctic this season. Thanks for inspiring us to chase our own dreams and goals.

Antarctica 2013: The End Is Nigh For Scott Expedition

Today is the day that the 2013-2014 Antarctic season comes to an end at last. With most of the team already long gone, the Scott Expedition continues to labor towards their finish line. But the boys are now just 15 km (9.3 miles) from their end point and they are more than ready to wrap up what has been an excruciatingly long and difficult journey.

Over the past week or so, Ben Saunders and Tarka L'Herpiniere have been averaging about 24 miles (38 km) per day. That means they have a relatively short leg to complete today, before reaching a research station located on the Ross Ice Shelf. With that in mind, they have elected to sleep in a little late today and take their time on these final miles. They'll savor as much of the last day as possible, considering they have found little joy in their exhausting trip to the South Pole and back.

Spirits are high for both men as the near the end, but they are definitely weary and ready to go home. The tale of the tape says that when they are finished they'll have covered 2875 km (1786 miles) over 105 days. That is an incredible amount of time to spend out on the ice and it has clearly taken its toll. Still, the team would have made their namesake proud, as they complete Robert Falcon Scott's route to the Pole and back. That alone is an accomplishment worth celebrating.

I'll post an update when Ben and Tarka are done. They were the first out on the ice, and they'll be the last to go home. A much deserved rest is waiting for them.

Antarctica 2013: 100 Days On The Ice

There has been a definitive shift in conditions in the Antarctic, and it is clear that the expedition season is nearly at an end. The daylight hours are getting shorter and temperatures have started to drop, as the austral summer begins to wane at long last. Most of the teams have come and gone of course, but the Scott Expedition remains and presses on towards its inevitable conclusion. The end is now clearly in sight for Ben Saunders and Tarka L'Herpiniere, who are overdue for a much deserved rest.

Over the weekend, the duo reached yet another milestone on their epic journey through the Antarctic in the footsteps of Robert Falcon Scott. They have now been on the ice for more than 100 days, first setting out from the Scott Hut on the Ross Ice Shelf back in November and skiing for hundreds of miles to and from the South Pole. With just a few days left before they reach the finish line, they have now dropped the distance remaining to just 87.5 miles (140.8 km). At their current pace, that should put them back at the coast on Thursday of this week.

In their most recent update, they indicate that they have noticed the shift in weather, with the average daily temperatures clearly getting colder. On top of that, they've been dealing with a constant freezing mist at ground level, which has made it feel like they are traveling through a cloud. That has prevented them from seeing some of the milestone that they've been working towards, which would give them an indication of how close they are to the end. Those milestones include Mount Erebus and Mount Terror. It has been disheartening for Ben and Tarka to not be able to gauge the progress against those landmarks.



Last week, the boys picked up their final supply depot on the return trip, and while it has added weight to their sleds, it has also allowed them to eat more rations each day as well. Those extra calories are helping them to feel much better and have improved their mood dramatically. Being so close to the end can't hurt their demeanor either.

I'll be keeping a close eye on the expedition over the next few days as the inch closer to the end. It has been a fantastic adventure to follow and I'm in awe of what Ben and Tarka have already accomplished are about to complete. It has been a demanding journey for sure and they deserve much respect and accolades. Back home in the U.K., where they still respect their nation's legacy of exploration, I'm sure they'll be welcomed like heroes.

Antarctica 2013: In the Shadow of Robert Falcon Scott

The end of the Antarctic expedition season draws near, and soon we will close the book on what has been a very active few months on the frozen continent. All of the teams have departed now, save the Scott Expedition, who continue to press on towards their finish line. They should wrap things up in about another week, but before then they must pass through the shadow of the namesake, as they approach the final resting spot of Robert Falcon Scott and the infamous One Ton Depot.

Ben Saunders and Tarka L'Herpiniere have now been out on the ice for an astounding 99 days. Their journey from the Ross Ice Shelf to the South Pole, and back again, will go down in history as one of the longest Antarctic expeditions ever. Traveling on foot, these two men have already covered hundreds of miles across a frozen expanse that tests them mentally and physically at ever turn. As of now, they have just 174 miles (280 km) to go before they are through. At their current pace, that should allow them to finish up by the end of next week.

Yesterday, the two explorers reached their final cache, which means they now have plenty of food and fuel to see them through to the end. In fact, for the first time in a long while, they have enough food with them to actually have double rations. Their bodies will probably appreciate getting more calories after weeks of subsisting on very few.


Today, the boys will pass by the final resting spot of Captain Scott and his men. As you probably already know, back in 1911-1912 Scott and his crew were in a race with Norwegian Roald Amundsen to see which team would be the first to the South Pole. Amundsen won the competition, besting Scott by a few weeks. On the return trip, the British explorer and his men suffered mightily, before ultimately perishing in their tent while stranded by a blizzard that lasted for nine days. They were just 11 miles away from what would have been a life saving supply cache, the aforementioned One Ton Depot.

That is the kind of history that looms over the trail for Ben and Tarka today. They should ski past the place where Scott and his men died, as well as the location of their supply cache today. This expedition has given them even more respect for what the Scott team endured on their polar march, and I'm sure they'll be a bit quiet and solemn today as they follow the footsteps of history.

While they are exhausted and ready to be done with their journey, their spirits have been lifted by the addition of their new food supplies and the promise of reaching the end of their expedition. With a week to go, it appears that they will have succeeded wildly.

Video: The Scott Expedition Celebrates 90 Days In Antarctica

Speaking of the Scott Expedition, here's a video they released to commemorate passing three months out on the ice. It is a series of still photos that they've taken over the course of their journey, and it gives us all a good idea of what conditions are like in the Antarctic. Three months is a long time to be spent traveling anywhere, but on the frozen continent, that has to be an eternity.

Antarctica 2013: And Then There Was One...

The Antarctic expedition season is nearing an end, and soon travel across the frozen continent will become even more difficult than it currently is. While most of the teams have wrapped up their projects and have headed home, we still have one expedition that continues to push on to the end. But the finish line is nearly in sight now, and it looks like the most ambitious undertaking of the season will be a major success.

Ben Saunders and Tarka L'Herpiniere, the two blokes who collectively make up the Scott Expedition, continue to set small goals for themselves as they keep pushing forward on their return trip to their starting point at the Scott Hut out on the Ross Ice Shelf. They currently estimate that they have about ten days left on their journey, although judging from the distance they have yet to cover, I'd say it is closer to 11-12 days. That means they should be wrapping up sometime near the end of next week. Currently they have been out on the ice for 95 days, and they have endured just about everything that Antarctica can throw at them. Now, they are eager to be done, but still have quite a few miles yet to cover.

As of yesterday, there were 271.2 miles (436.4 km) to go until they are done. Currently they are averaging about 24 miles (38 km) per day, hence the reason it will possibly take them longer than ten days to wrap things up. They continue to pick-up supplies from their various caches on the way back, so they seem to have plenty of food and fuel to see them through to the end. The real difficulty comes from their exhausted bodies and minds. Three months out on the ice has certainly taken its toll.


Ben and Tarka have been following in the footsteps of the tragic Robert Falcon Scott. Back in 1911-1912, Scott was locked in a race with Norwegian rival Roald Amundsen to see who would be the first to reach the South Pole. Amundsen eventually won that race, although Scott arrived at 90ºS a few weeks behind. On the return trip, things took a turn for the worse, and Captain Scott, along with his four companions, all died along the way. The purpose of the Scott Expedition was to trace the same route as the famous polar explorer and complete the journey that he was never able to do.

For the most part, they will be successful in that endeavor. Ben and Tarka have skied every mile of that expedition and will finish a journey that is more than a century overdue. Starting at the Ross Ice Shelf, they were able to reach the South Pole, which was the halfway point of their journey. With little time to rest, they then turned around and started skiing back to the start. Along the way, they did receive a single resupply along their way, which Scott wouldn't have had the luxury of in his day. Other than that, they have been able to do something that many thought wasn't possible.

The Scott Expedition isn't quite done yet however and there are still nearly two weeks to go before they return to their starting point. I'll continue to follow their progress and post updates right up until they reach the finish line at last.

Antarctica 2013: South Pole Cyclist Finishes Ride

Yesterday I posted a comprehensive round-up on the status of all of the Antarctic expeditions we've been following closely over the past two months. Several of them had reached the South Pole this past weekend, bringing an end to their very long, very hard journeys. But there are still a few out on the ice, struggling to reach their respective finish lines. Another one of the explorers did just that yesterday, setting a new record in the process.

Mountain biker Daniel Burton completed his attempt to ride the entire distance from Hercules Inlet to the South Pole late yesterday. It has been a very difficult journey, and at times it wasn't clear if he would make it, but Daniel persevered when times got really tough and managed to push on, even when the weather, the terrain and his own body threatened to put an end to his expedition.

Along the way, Burton received three resupplies, the last of which he burned through fairly quickly and ended up riding the final 20 miles (32 km) without food. To say that he was happy to have finally reached 90ºS would be a vast understatement. He may have completed his dream of riding to the South Pole, but this is a feat that is far from easy and will certainly be grueling for anyone else to attempt.

Congratulations to Daniel for completing the ride. Hopefully a much deserved rest is in order, preferably some place warm and tropical.


Meanwhile, Daniel isn't the only cyclist to wrap up his expedition. Over the weekend, Juan Menendez Granados accomplished the same feat. He also limped into the Pole with barely any food left in his pack, struggling over the final couple of degrees with fatigue and lack of calories to keep him going. The difference between the accomplishment of these two men is that Juan skied some of the journey, while Daniel rode his bike the entire way. Still, Juan's achievement should not be over looked either, and while I didn't follow him as closely as I would have liked over the past 50 days, congratulations are in order none the less.

Finally, no Antarctic update would be complete without first checking in with the Scott Expedition. Ben and Tarka have now descended from the Beardmore Glacier and are trucking across the Ross Ice Shelf. That means the hardest, most dangerous section of the journey is now behind them and they have their sights set firmly on the finish line back at the Scott Hut along the coast. Their daily distances have increased nicely, yesterday the knocked off 23.6 miles (38 km), and while they've still got 395 miles (635 km) to go before they are done, there does seem to be an air of optimism and energy returning to their updates. It has been a very long and difficult journey for them, but they can see an end in sight, even if it is still a bit of ways off.

In true Antarctic fashion however, the frozen continent found another way to challenge them yesterday. While temperatures were warm by Antarctic standards, they did have to ski for 9 hours in a thick fog, which didn't make for the most enjoyable day out. Still, progress is good and each day brings them closer to home. I'm sure they'll take that.

Soon, the Scott Expedition will be the only team still on the ice. We'll continue to follow them right up until the end. Hang in their guys, not much further to go!

Antarctica 2013: More South Pole Arrivals!

While I took a bit of a long weekend, the teams in Antarctica were busy steaming towards the finish line. As expected, several of those teams reached that mark over the past few days, while others continue to struggle towards their own respective goals. The end of the season is in sight, and soon there will be just one last team battling the elements. The team that started the season will also be the one to end it.

The big news over the weekend is that Lewis Clarke, along with guide Carl Alvey, has reached 90ºS. It took him 48 days to get there, but upon his arrival he achieved his goal of becoming the youngest person to ever ski the full distance to the South Pole. The 16-year old is already on his way back to civilization, and has even booked a speaking engagement in the U.K. for next weekend. That's a pretty ambitious schedule, but I guess he can sleep on the long plane rides he has ahead.

Also reaching 90ºS on Saturday was Chris and Marty Fagan, who limped into the finish line with hardly andy rations to spare. They enjoyed a little quite time at the South Pole station before flying to Union Glacier yesterday with the intention of returning to Chile today. Their journey took 47 days to complete, with the husband and wife team celebrating their achievement together.

Congratulations to these latest explorers to reach the Pole. It is a great accomplishment and an inspiration for those of us who have been following their progress over the past couple of months.


Still out on the ice, is South Pole cyclist Daniel Burton. Daniel is slowly but surely closing in on 90ºS as well, but his last stage of the journey hasn't been an easy one. In addition to wandering off course, both on purpose and unintentionally, he had run out of food until Antarctic legend Hannah McKeand appeared out of nowhere to bring him a resupply. Hannah works for ALE and was sent out to make sure Daniel had enough food to see him to the finish line. As of yesterday, he had 20 miles yet to go to reach that point, and his intention was to ride straight through to the end today. He says his next update will be from the South Pole, so hopefully we'll receive news of his successful arrival soon.

Finally, Ben Saunders and Tarka L'Herpiniere, collectively making up the Scott Expedition, continue to make progress. The duo have now left the Beardmore Glacier behind and have returned to the Ross Ice Shelf. They had hoped that by reaching shelf that things would begin to pick up for them, but they immediately found themselves in a nasty crevasse field, which made for tough (and slow!) going for awhile. After 88 days out on the ice, the boys are ready to be done and headed home. Unfortunately, they still have 418 miles (672 km) to go before they are finished. That's the equivalent of another couple of weeks of travel, which has to be a difficult proposition after nearly three months on the ice.

To help cheer the lads up, Prince Harry, who recently skied to the South Pole as well, sent them an encouraging message. That will certainly help lift their spirits as the press on. It won't be too much longer and they'll be the lone team still in the Antarctic. I'm sure Ben and Tarka will relish their "first to arrive, last to leave" status.

That's all for now. I'll post more updates as we get news on Daniel Burton's finish and other developments in the Antarctic season that is about to end.

Video: IMAX Documentary - Antarctica: An Adventure Of A Different Nature

Looking for a good video to watch this weekend? How about an IMAX documentary on Antarctica? The entire 40-minute film is on YouTube and offers some spectacular footage of the frozen continent. Sure, watching it on a computer monitor or television set isn't the same as seeing it in a giant IMAX theater, but the visuals are pretty stunning none the less.

Antarctica 2013: South Pole Prepares To Welcome Visitors!

The Antarctic season is drawing to a close as numerous teams now close in on the South Pole. This weekend should be a very busy one at the bottom of the world, where the inhabitants at the research station there are known for giving warm welcomes to those who ski in for a visit. They'll have to put the welcome mat for sure over the next few days, as several teams are now on final approach.

The first arrival to the Pole is Antony Jinman, who reached that point earlier today after 47 days out on the ice. He skied the final 14 nautical miles (26 km) today, and reportedly is in good spirits now that his expedition is done. Antony's 700+ mile (1126 km) journey has had its challenges, just like everyone else, but the Polar vet showed his strength by quietly going about his work, pushing ahead at a steady pace, and completing the journey on the same day that Captain Scott reached the Pole more than 100 years ago. Along the way, Jinman carried two drones with him, which were used to capture arial video footage. It should be interesting to see what he has to share with us once get home and has a chance to review. 

Chris and Marty Fagan are on track to arrive at the Pole tomorrow, which is a good thing. They're down to just emergency rations at this point, with Marty drinking his final cup of coffee this morning. If that isn't incentive enough to get to the finish line, I don't know what will be. With 20.4 miles (37.7km) yet to ski, they're not quite done yet. But they can now start turning their attentions to home, where there son has been patiently waiting for their return for the past two months.

Lewis Clarke and Carl Alvey are slowly but surely closing in on 90ºS. As of yesterday, they still had 37 miles (68 km) to go before they finished, and while that is still a daunting distance to cover, they hope to arrive tomorrow too. If high winds persist, as the weather forecast indicates, their arrival could get pushed off until Saturday. It has been 45 days since they left the coast in Lewis' attempt to become the youngest person to ski to the South Pole, and that goal looks like it will soon be a reality.


Daniel Burton is pushing forward with is attempt to be the first person to cycle the full distance to the South Pole. He passed another milestone yesterday by entering his final degree. He reports soft snow on the ground, which makes it harder for him to pedal and slows him down some. Still, he keeps pushing ahead as best he can, and now seems likely to reach the finish line early next week. From the tone of his dispatches, I think it is safe to say that he'll be very happy to have this journey behind him.

Another cyclists, Juan Menendez Granados, is reportedly suffering mightily on his final push to the Pole. We knew that he was nearly out of food a few days back and ExWeb is reporting that he is also going without much sleep. He is trying to get to 90ºS, but he is tired, weak and low on energy. Not a good combination in the Antarctic. His last update said that he is 48.5 km (30 miles) from the finish, so it will likely take him another couple of days to get there.

Finally, on this important day in Antarctic exploration history, the Scott Expedition continues its push back to their starting point. They've been out on the ice longer than anyone else – 84 days at this point – and yet they still have more than 500 miles (804 km) to go before they are done. By early next week they hope to have descended from the Beardmore Glacier, which should make it much easier for them to progress. But at this point, they are exhausted both mentally and physically. Each day is a challenge, but yet both Ben and Tarka seem resolved to see their expedition through. If they manage to make it back to the coast, it will be one of the most impressive expeditions in recent memory. More than 3 months in the Antarctic is enough to test anyone. I sure hope they're making plans to sit on a warm beach when all of this is through.

That's all for today. My next update next week should have news on the successful arrivals of numerous teams.

Antarctica 2013: Teams Closing In On The South Pole

The end is in sight for most of the teams skiing to the South Pole, as several of them close in on the finish line at last. The next few days should be busy ones at 90ºS, as a spate of skiers arrive there after weeks out on the ice. For most, it'll be a welcome relief as they complete a journey that has been both mentally and physically exhausting. The season is beginning to wind down quite quickly now, but there is still plenty of work to be done before it is over.

One of the more distressing stories coming out of Antarctica is that of Juan Menendez Granados. I haven't written much about Juan's expedition this season, but he has been skiing and cycling to the South Pole, alternating between modes of transportation depending on the conditions. ExWeb is reporting that because the expedition is taking longer than he had originally expected, Juan is now running low on food. He has plenty of fuel to keep melting snow for water, but his rations are running out quickly and he is still several days from the Pole at best. ALE could drop him a resupply, but he was hoping to make the journey unsupported. We'll have to wait to see if he can still finish in that fashion. When you're working hard 12 hours a day and burning more than 8000 calories in the process, there is never enough food for a journey of this type. But in this case, it sounds like Juan will be extremely hungry when he gets to the Pole.

Elsewhere, Antony Jinman is closing in on his finish and now expects to reach 90ºS sometime tomorrow night. Yesterday he traveled in a complete whiteout for the entire day, but still managed to knock off 16 nautical miles (29.6 km). That leaves him with about 30 nautical miles (55.5 km) to go to the Pole. The plan is to push it extra hard today, and cover as much distance as he can, so that he can wrap things up relatively easily tomorrow. Hopefully the weather will cooperate, making his final push to the end an easier one.


Lewis Clarke is in the homestretch and should be on pace to reach the Pole this weekend. He, and his guide Carl Alvey, have reached the Polar Plateau and are now skiing on a relatively flat surface that has fewer sastrugi and other obstructions, which should make for easier skiing. As of yesterday, they still had 65 miles (104 km ) to go before they finish, but at their current pace that should put them in on Saturday as expected. When he is done, Lewis will become the youngest person ever to ski the full distance to the Pole at just 16 years old.

Chris and Marty Fagan are also nearing the end. They're traveling at a slightly slower pace at this point, but have only 46.6 miles (75 km) to cover before they reach the South Pole. That should also put them in on Saturday, provided everything goes as expected.

South Pole cyclist Daniel Burton only rode for a couple of hours yesterday due to heavy snow falling. That made for tough going on soft new snow and with limited visibility. He had hoped to make it to the South Pole this weekend as well, although since he is still sitting at 88ºS42"W, he has some miles to cover before he is done. The weather is expected to improve today, so hopefully he can make up some ground and reach the Pole this weekend after all. Any more delays will probably push that arrival into early next week.

Finally, no Antarctic report would be complete with out an update from the Scott Expedition. Ben and Tarka reached one of their supply depots on Monday, which allowed them to restock their food and fuel for the next stage of their journey. The next few days promise to be incredibly tough ones for an expedition that has seen its fair share after 82 days on the ice. The boys are descending the Beardmore Glacier and aren't able to use their skis at the moment. Instead they have donned crampons and are slowly and carefully making their way back down to the Ross Ice Shelf. Once there, they feel like the pace will pick up considerably as they make their push toward the coast, but it'll take them four days to complete the descent, which will make things more difficult in the meantime. In order to negotiate the tricky blue ice of the glacier, they've connected their two sleds to one another, and they are taking turns splitting the duties of one of them in the front pulling the sleds, while the other is in the back, helping to steer. This will be their approach for the next few days, until they can don their skis again and get back to their normal mode of transportation.

That's all for today. Watch for more updates later in the week as the teams begin to arrive at the South Pole.

Antarctica 2013: Teams Close In On 90ºS

It is shaping up to be a busy week at the South Pole as a number of teams should wrap up their expeditions late in the week. It has been a long, tough season at the bottom of the world, and it will rapidly come to an end in a matter of a few weeks. For the skiers who are still pushing themselves across the ice, there are many miles to go before they rest. But with the end now in sight, most are finding a last bit of strength to get them to the finish line, where they can rest at last.

One team that has already visited the Pole and is now on their return trip is the Scott Expedition. Ben and Tarka continue to push forward despite the fact that they have now been enduring the Antarctic conditions for 80 days. Things are looking up for them a bit however, as they have now almost completely descended off the Antarctic Plateau and are starting to move faster as a result. Yesterday they covered nearly 25 miles (40 km) and they've now reduced their distance to 585 miles (941 km). That is still an awful lot of ground to cover, but hopefully things should start to get a little easier, despite their overwhelming fatigue. They'll pick up a supply cache at the top of the Beardmore Glacier at the end of the day today, which will fill the sleds once again but provide them with much needed supplies. From there, they'll continue on across the frozen expanse of a continent that I'm sure both men are ready to put behind them. At their pace however, they'll still have a few weeks to go before they are done.

Meanwhile, the husband and wife team of Chris and Marty Fagan are pushing towards the Pole with high spirits, even as they enter their 43rd day on the ice. With their food supplies starting to run low, they have now targeted Saturday as the day they hope to reach the South Pole. The weather is reportedly good there at the moment and hopefully it will stay that way. They'll need all of the conditions in their favor in order to finish on schedule.


Also hoping to wrap up his expedition on Saturday is South Pole cyclist Daniel Burton. After taking a rest day yesterday to recharge his own batteries, as well as that of his gear, he should be back on the trail today and heading south once again. He has passed the 88th degree and is closing in on 89, but the riding remains physically and mentally challenging for sure. Still, if all goes according to plan, Daniel will reach his goal of becoming the first person to ride their bike the full distance to the South Pole by next weekend.

Lewis Clarke and his guide Carl Alvey have reached another major milestone. They now have less than 100 miles to go until they reach 90ºS. After knocking off 19 miles (30.5 km) yesterday, they're now on track to reach the Pole by Saturday as well. Weather conditions have improved for the duo, but temperatures are still hovering around -39ºC/-38ºF, which is about how it was in much of the northern U.S. last week, the difference being that most of us don't have polar suits to keep us warm. If Lewis is able to complete these final 100 miles, and I don't see any reason he won't, he'll become the youngest person to ski the full distance to the South Pole, completing that journey at the age of 16.

Finally, Antony Jinman is closing in on the 89th degree, and as of yesterday he had just 78 nautical miles (144 km) to go until he is done. If he is able to maintain his current pace, that should put him into the Pole sometime on Friday. He has climbed to the top of the Antarctic Plateau, which means that the surface is flatter, but also that winds have increased and the altitude is higher as well. He is in good spirits, anxious to reach the end, but enjoying his time in the Antarctic none the less.

That'll wrap things up from the Antarctic today. Expect more updates throughout the week as the teams near the end of the trail.

Antarctica 2013: Running On Empty

With the end of the Antarctic season now in sight, a number of the teams are pushing through the last stretch of mileage before reaching the South Pole. Next week should see a spate of arrivals at 90ºS, but in order to get there, the explorers are going to have to push themselves to the limit. The days are starting to get short, and while no one seems to be in any real danger at this point, it won't be long until travel in Antarctica will become all but an impossibility for another year. Before that happens however, there is still plenty to accomplish.

The Scott Expedition continues to forge ahead, despite the fact that both Ben and Tarka are clearly ready for their grueling journey to be over. Their blog updates have begun to offer more insights into their feelings, and it seems evident that the rigors of 2.5 months out on the ice have taken their toll. With more than 650 miles (1046 km) yet to cover, they still have a very long way to go however. Surface conditions have begun to improve for them to a degree, although their weary legs aren't allowing them to take advantage of the situation as much as they'd like, and the featureless landscape offers them little to look at as they trudge back to their starting point on the coast. It has been a reals slog for the boys of late, but they'll reach one of their caches early next week and they are approaching the 86th degree, which means that slowly but surely they are inching their way back to the Scott Hut, and eventually home.

Chris and Marty Fagan are nearing the homestretch of their unsupported expedition from Hercules Inlet to the South Pole. After today, they should have less than 100 miles (160 km) to go before they are done. They are starting to run low on rations and are fearing a shift in weather could cause delays to their schedule, so yesterday they adjusted their meals over the next few days to eek out an extra day of travel. They now have enough food to last nine days, although their pace should have them at the Pole in eight. The race is on, but it seems they should reach the finish line with just enough supplies to spare.
Cyclist Daniel Burton reached his supply cache a couple of days ago and as a result, he has a heavy sled once again. The cache provided some much needed food and other supplies for his final push to the South Pole. He now estimates that he'll arrive their next Saturday, and in doing so become the first person to bike the full distance to 90ºS. He's having a tough time of it in the lower light conditions that have been common in the Antarctic the past couple of days however, as the difference in contrast makes it tough to see surface details in an otherwise mostly featureless environment. He is still struggling through the sastrugi field at 87ºS at the moment, but his pace should pick-up once he clears that area, and with only about 1000 feet (304 meters) of climbing left to go, he should have the worst part of the expedition behind him soon.

Lewis Clarke and his guide Carl Alvey continue to press ahead. They haven't quite crossed 88ºS just yet, so they're still dealing with plenty of sastrugi and still moving up hill. As of yesterday, they still had 142 miles (228 km) to go until they're done, which at their current pace should put them into the Pole sometime at the end of next week. If they make it, Lewis will then hold the distinction of being the youngest person to ever ski the full distance to the South Pole.

Finally, Antony Jinman has now crossed over 88ºS and has just 110 nautical miles (203 km) to go until he reaches the South Pole. The polar vet has been quietly going about his business all season long and has managed to make solid progress toward his goal. He reports that today was a tough day however, as the low light caused visibility issues for him as well and surface conditions were not as clean as he would like. Still, he should have the toughest part of the journey behind him now as well and will likely arrive at the pole late next week too. Perhaps as early as next Thursday. Considering the fact that he has now been out on the ice for 40 days, I'm sure he is anxious to wrap things up soon too.

That's all for today. Good luck to all of the Antarctic travelers in the days ahead. Hold tight. The end is near.

Antarctica 2013: No Rest For The Weary

The agonizing march to the South Pole continues for several of the teams that we've been following this Antarctic season, and while the end is in sight for most of them, there is still a lot of work to be done before they can rest. Right now, the grind continues, with day after day of tedium with just the counting down of mileage to record their progress. This is probably the toughest part of the expedition for these folks, who are ready to be done after weeks out on the ice.

Ben Saunders and Tarka L'Herpiniere, the two men who make up the Scott Expedition are most definitely in the midst of their grind. Having rounded the Pole, the duo are on their way back to the coast where they started, although it has been far from easy as today's blog post will attest. They are at the physical and mental limits after 75 days out on the ice, and it appears that tempers have flared a bit more quickly in recent days. That seems pretty understandable considering everything they've been through over the past two and a half months. Now, they're rushing to get off the polar plateau, with the hopes of picking up speed on their return journey. With just under 700 miles (1126 km) to go until they're done, the end is still quite a long way off. Hopefully their spirits and bodies will hold out until the end.

Similarly struggling is Daniel Burton, who is riding his fat tire bike to the South Pole. This morning he should have retrieved his final supply cache and he is now set to make the final push to 90ºS. Daniel estimates he has about 10 days of riding left before he crosses the finish line and he believes things will get somewhat easier once he passes the 88th degree. He is currently wading through the nasty sastrugi field that is found inside 87ºS, which is slowing his progress and making it extremely difficult to ride at times. Some of those sastrugi are reportedly as much as 4-5 feet (1.5 meters) in height, forcing him to go around the snow-dunes, or even get off his bike and push for a time. On top of that, he is also currently passing through an area with several large crevasses, which aren't exactly helping the pace either.


Lewis Clarke is forging ahead as expected and is now working his way through the same sastrugi field, although in his case it is on skis. He has now been on the trail for 36 days and is knocking off solid chunks of mileage each day. He and his guide, Carl Alvey, now have about 176 miles (283 km) to go until they are done, which at their current pace means they should finish sometime around the end of next week. If successful, Lewis will become the youngest person to ski to the South Pole at just 16-years of age.

For some real insights into what it is like to travel in the Antarctic, check out the guest blog post on Lewis' website that was written by Jon Bradshaw, who made the same journey back in 2008. He shares some interesting thoughts on what it is like to be so far into an expedition but still not quite being able to see the end. He discusses the physical and mental challenges that the skiers are facing and talks about his own experiences on the way to the South Pole. It is quite an interesting perspective.

Polar veteran Antony Jinman continues his march to the South Pole. He has quietly been going about his business as usual, and is now nearing the 88th degree. He has just 140 nautical miles (260 km) left to cross, and seems happy to be heading into the homestretch. Like the rest of the skiers however, he is still dealing with the dreaded sastrugi as well.

Also closing in on the end are Chris and Marty Fagan. They did cross 88º yesterday and now have a mere 134 miles (215 km) to go before they are done. The toll of the expedition has really started to wear on them, but they continue to press ahead as best they can. With just ten days of food left, they can feel the clock ticking. They need to reach the Pole before they run out of rations. That would put them at the finish line by Friday, January 17.

Finally, an update on kite skier Geoff Wilson. When we last checked in on him, he was waiting for a flight off of the ice at Hercules Inlet that would take him back to Union Glacier. At that point, he was stuck in his tent and out of food, but the weather was keeping him locked in place there. The weather did clear however, and is now safely back at camp, waiting for a flight to Punta Arenas. I'm sure he is enjoying the food and relative comforts of Union Glacier, but more than ready to start the journey home.

That's it for today. More updates soon.

Antarctica 2013: Speed Records, Resupplies, And Agony At The Bottom Of The World

It has been another very active couple of days in the Antarctic, where the explorers continue to press ahead with expeditions to and from the South Pole. At this point in the season the teams still out on the ice are really in the grind. They've been skiing (and in some cases biking!) towards their goal for days, and while the end is in sight, there are still many miles to cross before the season is finally done. It can be a very tough, agonizing stage of the journey, both mentally and physically, as most now found out.

We've been following the Scott Expedition for two and a half months now, and Ben and Tarka have now rounded the Pole and are headed back towards their starting point at the Scott Hut along the coast. But last week the boys were forced to call in a resupply as they were starting to run dangerously low on  food and fuel. On top of that, the physical toll of the expedition has really hit the team hard. They had hoped to pick up speed on the return trip, but so far that hasn't happened. Over the course of the past few weeks, their blog updates have hinted at the struggles they had been facing, but Ben and Tarka did a good job of hiding just how difficult the journey had been, and how close to the edge they were playing their dangerous game. In the end, they came very close to having to call off the expedition altogether, as they misjudged how difficult it would and pushed themselves to the very limits. To get a true sense of what they were up against, I'd suggest you read this blog post from last Thursday. It'll give you a true sense of just how incredibly rough the mission has been so far. Needless to say, the resupply may have saved their lives, or at the very least has allowed them to continue. The drama isn't completely over yet however, as the duo continues to face challenges, including a bout of hypothermia, even as they have reached their first supply depot on the return trip. Now 74 days into their journey, they still have roughly 740 miles (1190 km) to go, with the clock ticking towards the end of the season.

While the Scott Expedition continues its long, cold march back to the coast, another explorer has wrapped up his expedition as expected. On Saturday, Richard Parks reached the South Pole, completing his speed record attempt in an impressive 29 days, 19 hours, and 24 minutes. That is five days off the record pace he had hoped to set, but still good enough to give him the fastest time by a Brit to the the Pole in solo and unsupported fashion. I'm sure Richard is a bit disappointed at not getting the record, but considering the conditions he faced, he should be quite proud of his efforts. It hasn't exactly been a good year in the Antarctic and in order to break the record in the future, conditions will have to be nearly perfect. Parks had little time to celebrate his achievement at 90ºS, as he has already returned to the Union Glacier Camp and will soon be making his way back to Punta Arenas, Chile, and then home to the U.K.


Aussie kite-skier Geoff Wilson has also completed his expedition at last. After 53 days of catching the wind, he has traversed the continent via the South Pole and now arrived at Hercules Inlet, where he is reportedly exhausted and happy, but still waiting for extraction to Union Glacier. In his latest blog post from today, he reports that he is down to his last full meal, so he is hoping that weather conditions improve soon. High winds are keeping flights in Antarctica grounded for now, but the forecast is reporting better weather ahead. Geoff says that he won't starve, as he has a few other scraps to keep him going, and plenty of fuel to melt snow for water. But by now, he is ready for a big meal and a warm bed.

16-year old Lewis Clarke continues to make good progress in his efforts to become the youngest person to ever ski to the South Pole. He and his guide Carl Alvey have now crossed the 87th degree and covered more than 500 miles (804 km) in the process. They've now entered the massive sastrugi field that is located at that point on the map, which is slowing them down some and making progress much harder. Still, with less than 200 miles to go until they reach the Pole, Lewis is doing quite well. They should be on track to reach the finish line sometime next week.

Also now inside 87ºS is South Pole cyclist Daniel Burton, who continues to extend his record for riding the longest distance in Antarctica. Every day continues to be a struggle for Daniel, but he shows remarkable resolve in his efforts to become the first person to ride his fat tire mountain bike the full distance to the South Pole. He's dealing with the sastrugi as well, and reports that they continue to grow in size. As tough as they are to ski over and around, I'm sure they are just as challenging on a bike, which has precarious balance in the high winds and slick surface conditions of Antarctica. If all goes well, there is a good chance that Daniel will wrap up his expedition next week as well. He has continued to increase his mileage, although the challenge is still quite great.

Finally, husband and wife team Chris and Marty Fagan are pushing ahead toward the Pole. It is now the 35th day of their expedition and they have just 12 days to reach 90ºS before they run out of food. Unless they go on half rations, that means they now have less than two weeks to cover the remaining 160 miles (257 km) that remain. That average out to 13.5 miles (21.7 km) per day to reach their goal. Certainly doable, but they'll need to push hard over the last stretch.

The Antarctic season isn't over yet, and there still plenty of drama to come as we head down the stretch. Stay tuned for more updates in the days ahead.

Antarctica 2013: Expedition Updates!

After a holiday hiatus, it is time to get back to work and caught up on everything going on in the world of adventure. That starts with checking in on the happenings in the Antarctic, where despite the holidays the teams have remained busy, including some reaching the South Pole at long last.

Chief amongst those reaching the Pole were the Scott Expedition, which arrived at 90ºS on December 26. That was the culmination of more 63 days out on the ice and was a major milestone for Ben Saunders and Tarka L'Herpiniere. But, if you've been following their journey you already know that the South Pole was only the halfway point of the expedition. The have now made the turn and are headed back towards the coast, which will be their ultimate finish line. With that in mind, they are taking a rest day today and are still looking at another 770 miles (1239 km) to go before they are done. With the clock starting to tick on the current Antarctic season, they still have a long way to go as time begins to run short. Fortunately, the return trip should be faster and easier.

Also arriving at the South Pole was Aussie Geoff Wilson. He has been kite skiing to the bottom of the world for weeks now, and even though he arrived bruised and battered, he has also started his return journey. The winds will be more favorable on the way back to the coast as well, which should make that portion of the expedition much quicker. Still, Geoff has taken his share of lumps on the expedition so far, and he's not done just yet either.


Richard Parks is nearing 90ºS as well and should arrive possibly as early as today or tomorrow. There hasn't been an update from him in a few days now, but based on his average distances covered, he should be quite close. His opportunity to break the speed record for skiing from Hercules Inlet to the South Pole has come and gone, but he is still putting in a tremendous effort as he nears the end of the expedition. It appears that he'll finish up in roughly 30 days, which is impressive to say the least.

As of yesterday, Lewis Clarke still had 269 miles (432 km) to cover in his bid to become the youngest person to ever ski to the South Pole. In recent days that has become all the more challenging thanks to the endless amount of sastrugi that are covering the ice. It has been a tough slog thus far and the challenges of the journey have taken their toll, but the 16-year old remains determined to reach the finish line and set the new record. That looks like it is still a couple weeks off however.

Antarctic mountain biker Daniel Burton continues to push forward in his quest to become the first to ride the full distance to the South Pole. In an effort to pick up the pace some, he has dropped extra gear and supplies and now looks to cover an average of 20 miles (32 km) per day. Adding in three rest days to the schedule, Daniel now estimates he'll reach the South Pole around the 20th of January. That is nearly three more weeks of hard riding before he is done. That date will also start to get close to the end of the season as well.

Finally, Chris and Marty Fagan continue their push towards the South Pole. The husband and wife team are now 206 miles out from their finish line, with the two endurance athletes making solid progress on a daily basis. They are dealing with more sastrugi as they near the end as well, but seem to be taking these challenges in stride and are moving forward with a positive attitude. At their current pace, they'll probably wrap up their expedition around the middle of the month.

That's all for today. I'll post more updates tomorrow and as news breaks.