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Antarctica… It's the highest, driest, coldest and windiest continent on Earth. The climate there is so inhospitable that no mammals, reptiles, or amphibians inhabit the mainland. Death and danger will lie in wait throughout the whole expedition, and it will come in many forms. Frostbite, hypothermia, sleeplessness, muscle pain, bruising, snow blindness, dehydration, trauma and weight loss are just some of the medical conditions associated with severe cold. Some of these would end our journey in an instant. Others will wear us down gradually, testing our bodies and our spirits to the limit. |
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| Our bodies will be pushed beyond exhaustion as we strive to destroy the current record of 42 days for the fastest unsupported journey to the South Pole on foot – becoming the youngest British team to achieve this. To counter the strains imposed upon us, we will be consuming about 6000 calories a day. As much as we all enjoy our food, it will take a long time to adjust to such a high intake, almost 3 times higher than the recommended daily intake. |
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| The map below shows our route. Starting in Puntas Arenas, Chile, we will fly to the Hercules Inlet in Antarctica. From there we get a lift on a twin otter plane to Patriot Hills. Once we have watched it fly away into the distance, we will be alone. For the next 1130km (700+ miles), each other will be all we have to rely on. An enormous task, both physical and mental, lies ahead of us. With the belief we have in ourselves and each other, we will follow our dream, no matter what stands in our way. |
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Interesting Challenge Facts: |
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- Antarctica is 58 times bigger than the UK, twice the size of Australia and 1.4 times bigger than the USA.
- Maximum recorded gust: 248.4 kmh / 154 mph.
- The suns reflection is so strong that the reflection it creates in the snow is almost as bright as starring at the sun itself.
- The temperature starts to fall as you leave the coast and begin to climb the continuous uphill slope of the continent.
- The nearest other land mass, South America, is 600 miles from the coast of Antarctica with the roughest stretch of water in the world between the two coasts.
- Blizzards are very common and frequently result in disorienting white-out conditions, similar to walking inside a ping-pong ball!
- The South Pole is colder and higher than the North Pole and is totally isolated.
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