This ski expedition to the South Pole covers the last degree of latitude, from 89 degrees south to the geographic South Pole. Over several days the team skis 111 km, or 60 nautical miles, across the high polar plateau. There are no roads, no trees and no notable landmarks around, only wind, a white horizon, round-the-clock daylight and the track of the sleds stretching back across Antarctica.<\/p>\n
After preparation at Union Glacier camp, participants are flown to the start point at 89°S. Each person hauls a sled of about 30 kg and helps to pitch the tents and run the camp. Wind gathers the snow into hard ridges of sastrugi, and the physical altitude of about 2835 m may feel to the body more like 3200 to 3350 m because of the way pressure behaves near the Pole.<\/p>\n
This is not a trip for someone whose only experience is skiing on prepared pistes. Participation requires experience of cross-country skiing, of hauling a sled on skis, of multi-day winter camping in a tent and of working in low temperatures. Mountaineering and ski-touring experience is useful but does not replace polar preparation.<\/p>\n
Important<\/strong><\/p>\n\n