Reaching the South Pole: Why is it one of the most challenging quests for adventurers?

On January 3, Captain Harpreet Chandi, an Indian-origin British army officer became the first woman of colour to complete a solo unsupported trek to the South Pole. Photo: Twitter/@PreetChandi10

On January 3, Captain Harpreet Chandi, an Indian-origin British army officer and a physiotherapist became the first woman of colour to complete a solo unsupported trek to the South Pole, Antarctica. A journey which commenced in November 2020 concluded at the end of day 40, when Chandi announced on her live blog that she had made it to the South Pole while pulling a sledge which carried her kit. She trekked 700 miles (1,127 kilometers) braving temperatures of minus 50 degrees Celsius and wind speed of around 60 mph.

"It definitely feels colder in the last degree where I'm at higher altitude. I haven't seen anyone here in the last degree and now I'm 15 nautical miles from the South Pole. I can't believe I'm almost there," Chandi had written on her blog on Sunday, a day before she concluded her trek.

High altitudes, ice cap climate, speedy winds
The Geographic South Pole, located in the continent of Antarctica, is at an altitude of about 9,200 feet and is known to have an ice cap climate, which means polar climate where the average monthly temperature never exceeds 32 degree Celsius. Areas with ice cap climate are generally covered by a permanent layer of ice and have no vegetation.

According to Explorersweb.com, expeditions to the South Pole have comparatively lesser concerns than those to the North Pole. While crevasses--deep open cracks in glaciers--present a major danger in off-route tracks of Antarctica, generally the paths taken by skiers are standard routes, well-assessed and safe. Walking through frozen terrain, people on the mission have to battle the extreme cold climate along with high-speed winds.

The Geographic South Pole, located in the continent of Antarctica, is at an altitude of about 9,200 feet and is known to have an ice cap climate. Photo: istock

In addition to extreme cold temperatures, travellers also have to make it through the high-wind speeds caused by the Southern ocean that surrounds Antarctica. When expeditions are carried out unassisted, it means the travelers would only use human force for movement and no help from dogs, machines or kites, etc. Similarly, during unsupported expeditions, no re-supplies are provided in terms of food and materials for warmth.

Who has made this journey so far?
Explorations to the South Pole began in the early 20th century and according to expeditions365.com, only 350 people have ever made the overland journey from the coast of Antarctica to the South Pole. In recent years, a number of trekkers, skiers have undertaken several expeditions to travel to the South Pole.

Hannah McKeand was the first female to perform the fastest solo, unsupported and unassisted trek to the South Pole in 2006. She completed the journey in 39 days, 9 hours and 33 minutes. In 2020, Mollie Hughes from Edinburgh became the youngest person to ski solo to the South Pole in 58.5 days.

Endurance athlete Colin O'Brady was the first to cross the land mass of Antarctica in 2018, without assistance. Brady, who covered a distance of 930 miles in 54 days, called it "The Antarctica Ultramarathon" as he updated the world via social media about the final moments of his historical journey.

"While the last 32 hours were some of the most challenging hours of my life, they have quite honestly been some of the best moments I have ever experienced," he wrote on Instagram.