The Adventure Podcast Episode 9: The Logistics of Skiing to the North and South Pole

The latest episode of The Adventure Podcast is now live and available to download in all of the usual places, including iTunes, Google Play, and Stitcher. I've also embodied the episode below for those who prefer to listen on directly from their computers. This week we return to our usual format after taking a week off for some travel and following a pair of shorter episodes that focused only on the latest adventure news.

The main topic of discussion this week is the differences between skiing to the North and South Pole. On paper, the two expeditions seem very similar, but in reality they are about as far apart as the poles themselves. We delve deep into these differences as we discuss things like climate change, "negative drift," and being stalked by polar bears. Of course, we also share some thoughts on gear items we're currently using, and talk about the latest stories from the world outdoor exploration and adventure.

As always, thanks for listening and don't forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter. If you have any feedback or would like to send us a question, don't hesitate to reach out by email either.

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Winter Climbs 2018: Everest and K2 Winter Expeditions Come to an End

While I was away last week there were massive developments in the two major climbing expeditions that we've been following closely this winter, with one coming to an end and the other losing its strongest climber after he went AWOL on the mountain. Today, we also received news that the winter expedition to K2 is ending as well, all but bringing an end to the winter climbing season.

We'll start on Everest where Alex Txikon has pulled the plug on his winter attempt without the use of supplemental oxygen. When last we checked in, the Basque alpinist, along with climbing partner Muhammad Ali Sadpara and a strong team of Sherpa guides, was heading upwards to make a summit bid with a narrow weather window opening last weekend. But, that window slammed shut and the team was forced to return to Base Camp.

Unfortunately, their climbing permit expired on February 28, and while it would have been relatively easy to extend its deadline, Txikon decided to head home instead. Sadapara and one of the Sherpas were forced to return to Kathmandu and the weather in the days ahead didn't look promising. Alex said it was a tough decision to make, but ultimately he knew it was the right one. The entire squad has left the mountain now.

Meanwhile, over on K2 things have been equally eventful. This morning the Polish Ice Warriors team  have announced that they are ending their attempt at the first winter ascent of that mountain due to a number of factors. After looking at the weather forecasts, team leader Krzysztof Wielicki found poor conditions throughout the month of March with only one narrow weather window to take a shot at the summit. He also cited avalanche dangers and deep snow on the upper flanks of the mountain, as well as the high likelihood that Camps 1, 2, and 3 have been destroyed by the current weather pattern. With the safety of the climbers in question, he has decided to go home, leaving K2 unclimbed in winter once again.


This comes after what can only be described as a tumultuous few days last week. That's when climber Denis Urubko went rogue, leaving the team and setting out on a solo summit bid. Urubko has been highly critical of Wielicki and his tactics, and has taken shots at his teammates who he didn't feel were climbing fast enough. In his defense, Urubko was clearly the strongest person on the team, and fixed most of the ropes himself. This led to frustration on his part, which boiled over several times, before coming to a head last week.

Without saying a word to Wielicki, Urubko left Base Camp and headed up the mountain with the intent of reaching the summit completely on his own. He managed to climb above C3 before poor weather turned him back, He then returned to BC where he reportedly was unapologetic. He was banned from using the team's Internet, and then later left altogether on February 28. He has yet to share more details on his side of the story.

Finally, Lonnie Dupre has also called off his attempt on Mt. Hunter in Alaska. He was set to make a solo winter attempt on that difficult mountain but heavy snow is preventing that from happening. The forecast calls for more than 6 feet (2 meters) of snow in the next few days, making it a very dangerous climb. Dupre says he will now wait until next winter to make the attempt once again.

That pretty much wraps up the winter climbing season altogether at this point. These were the last three expeditions I was following and I'm not aware of any other major climbs that are currently underway. Of course, in a few weeks we'll start looking ahead to the spring climbing season, which promises to be as eventful as ever.

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The New Yorker Publishes Riveting Story About Henry Worsley's Doomed Antarctic Expedition

In 2016, British polar explorer Henry Worsley lost his life while attempting a solo, unsupported crossing of the Antarctic continent. He was attempting to become the first to make such a journey, which remains one of the biggest challenges that remain for adventurers traveling in that part of the world. It is impossible to know exactly what that journey was like, but now – thanks to an unlikely source – we have a bit more of an idea. 

Recently The New Yorker published an amazing article about Worsley and his expedition to the Antarctic. Entitled "The White Darkness," the story is written by David Grann, who also wrote the excellent Lost City of Z. It takes us out onto the ice with the British explorer, providing us with some impressive insights into what that journey was like and what must have been going on in Worsley's mind as spent days on end skiing across the frozen continent. 

Many of us who follow these types of expeditions have some idea of at least the logistics behind such a venture. But unless you've done such a journey yourself, it is difficult to truly understand what it is like to grind out every mile, day-in and day-out, in such a cold, inhospitable place. This article will help you to understand what that is like just a bit more. 

The story is a long one, so prepare yourself and get comfortable. This is best read on a tablet in comfy chair with a drink or even a snack close at hand. You'll be going on a journey along with the Worsley, but it is definitely one that you'll want to take. And when you come out the other side, you'll have learned a lot more about this man and what drove him to push himself to his very limits, and beyond. It is sad, inspiring, joyous, and humbling all at once, and I highly recommend that anyone who enjoys reading my stories gives this a thorough read too.

Check it out here.

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Where Are the North Pole Skiers for 2018?

Typically about this time of year we begin to turn our attention north to the Arctic and the North Pole. Late February and early March are usually the time of year when skiers are preparing to set out on expeditions to the top of the world, a long and arduous journey that requires a great deal of strength, determination, and focus. But this season I have yet to hear of any expeditions undertaking such an excursion, which leaves me to wonder whether or not we have indeed seen the last of such ventures.

The Antarctic and Arctic expedition seasons use to be staples on the adventure calendar, with a few intrepid explorers setting off in both directions each year. But while the Antarctic has probably seen increased numbers of skiers in recent years, the Arctic has seen its numbers dwindle, and for good reason. Skiing to the South Pole remains a great challenge, although it is manageable for anyone who prepares properly, has the right gear, and doesn't mind spending a month and a half out on the ice.

Going to the North Pole is a completely different beast though, with much bigger challenges to overcome. Since skiers are actually traveling over a frozen ocean, there is a measure of instability involved that often leads to massive rubble fields that can take days to cross. Climate change has also caused the ice to thin, and created wide sections of open water as well. What was once frozen pack ice is now liquid, forcing skiers to go around or swim across instead.

Because of these changes, we haven't seen a successful full distance expedition to the North Pole since 2014, when Eric Larsen and Ryan Waters completed that journey. Over the course of the ensuing years, a number of people have tried, but most have had to give up very early in the expedition. Massive storms have become the norm this time of year, bringing fierce winds and frigid temperatures to the Arctic. Worse yet, those conditions have made it difficult for aircraft to operate in this part of the world, which forced Kenn Borek Air – a company whose motto is "anytime, anywhere" – to stop supporting expeditions to the North Pole.

That isn't to say that there haven't been people who have skied to 90ºN. On the contrary, each year there are "Last Degree" skiers who cover a partial distance to the top of the world. Most of them operate out of the Barneo Ice Camp, a temporary base created near the 88ºN mark on the Russian side of the ice each season. That base facilities scientific and exploratory missions, as well as adventure travelers, coming and going from the Arctic each year, and it is a point of exit for full distance skiers, but it isn't a launching point for those longer-distance expeditions.

One explorer that I thought we'd be following to the North Pole this season was Mike Horn. Last year, he skied across Antarctica as part of his Pole2Pole Expedition, which was to include a journey across the Arctic this year, which would continue down through Greenland before returning to his starting point back in Monaco. But, I haven't seen any indication that Mike is headed to the Arctic to attempt this crossing and the latest updates on his website were posted back in October when he was sailing the Great Barrier Reef off the coast of Australia. There have been some vague mentions of him having already competed this stage of the Pole2Pole, but I am unaware of this actually happening.

So all of this begs the question: wither the North Pole explorers? Have they all abandoned attempt on the Arctic with climate change making things extremely difficult? Is there someone making the attempt this year that I haven't been able to uncover? Is the age of Arctic exploration on foot truly over?

At this point, only time will tell. I can say however, that I am aware of at least two expeditions scheduled for next year, which is a long way off and provides plenty of time for cancellations, delays, and so on. Hopefully that won't be the case, but until these expeditions are truly underway, I remain a bit skeptical.

Do you know of an expedition to the North Pole that I should be following this year? If so, send the details my way please.

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Antarctica 2017: Ice Maidens Complete Antarctic Crossing

While we've been focused heavily on the winter climbing season over the past few weeks, the Antarctic expedition season is still underway as well. One of the teams that we've been following for over two months now has finally completed its journey across the frozen continent, bringing an end to a record setting adventure that has been a challenge from the start.

The all-female squad known as the Ice Maidens wrapped up their traverse of Antarctica this past weekend when they arrived at Hercules Inlet 62 days after they started the crossing. In doing so, they became the first all-women team to make such a journey, which began way back in November. That's when the team set out from the Ross Ice Shelf then proceeded onto the Leverett Glacier, before crossing the Transantarctic Mountains, before reaching the Polar Plateau. Their route also took them to the South Pole on the way back to Hercules Inlet.

The Ice Maidens consisted of Major Nice Wetherill, Major Nat Taylor, Lace Sergeant Sophie Montagne, Captain Zanna Baker, Major Sandy Tennis, and Lt. Jenni Stephenson. All of the members of the team are part of the active British military or reservists, and were selected from over 250 applicants who wished to be a part of the expedition.

The expedition didn't get off to a promising start when the ladies first had to spend two weeks stuck at the Union Glacier camp waiting for the weather to improve. At the time, it looked like things could be in jeopardy as it was expected to take upwards of 90 days for them to finish the crossing. But once they got out on the ice, things picked up quickly and they managed to cover longer distances as they went. In the end, they were able to wrap up the crossing in a fraction of the time, and will still get home on schedule.

The Antarctic season is nearly coming to an end. The last flight off the continent is scheduled for next week, although that plane is meant for ALE personnel and supplies. The final flight for clients should take place at the end of this week, weather permitting. That will close another chapter on a busy season at the bottom of the world.

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Nat Geo Gives Us the 15 Skills Every Adventurer Needs

Have you ever thought about all of the skills that an explorer or adventurer needs in order to survive on a challenging expedition? If so, then I have just the article for you. National Geographic published a story a few weeks back detailing the 15 skills that every adventurer needs, with some insights as to why each of them is important.

Some of the items on the list come from simple common sense, while others a bit more surprising. For instance, Nat Geo says that any adventurer worth his salt will know how to avoid getting lost and can properly pack a backpack. Those may seem like simple, straight forward skills, but it is actually amazing to discover how many people don't even possess those basic abilities. I'm continually surprised by the people I meet who can't work a compass or read a map properly.

On the other hand, some of the skills that make the list are not so intuitive. For instance, the story mentions learning to eat for fuel, meaning having the proper foods to power your adventure. Polar explorers can never get enough calories for instance as the extreme cold forces their bodies to work hard to stay warm. Nat Geo says that today's adventurers need to be tech savvy too, which is something that wasn't much of a concern in the past.

There are a number of other useful skills on the list, including how to stay mentally tough, how to make a fire, and how to be environmentally responsible. But, perhaps the most important one of all, is knowing when to quit. You can push your body to the limit and plan everything down to the last detail, but sometimes things are outside of your control, so it is important to know when to say you're done. After all, coming home safely and in one piece is an important aspect to any outdoor adventure.

Check out the entire list here.

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French Explorer Sets Sights on Northwest Passage

Last week I shared a story about an adventurous family that will sail the Northwest Passage this summer, but unsurprisingly they won't be alone up there in the Arctic. We've also learned that French explorer Alban Michon will also head to that mythical waterway with plans to help raise awareness of what is happening in that part of the world as climate change alters it forever.

As we've mentioned before on The Adventure Blog, the Northwest Passage is a section of the Arctic Ocean that remained largely frozen shut for centuries due to permanent pack ice. For hundreds of years, explorers searched for a safe way through, in the process creating a faster trade route between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. This wasn't possible until recently, when increasing temperatures due to climate change have melted the ice and made the Passage navigable my ships for several months each year. It is now believed that by 2050, the route will be almost completely ice free, creating the trade route long sought, but bringing a number of other challenges along with it.

Michon plans to cross the Northwest Passage on skis, pulling an 180 kg (396 lbs.) sled behind him with gear, supplies, and equipment. When the weather permits, he'll use a kite to propel him along across the ice. He'll embark on the journey in March of this year, and expects it to take about two months for him to travel from Resolute Bay in Canada to the Atlantic Ocean in the west, covering some 1240 miles (1995 km) along the way. He'll be following the same route pioneered by Roald Amundsen, who was the first to complete this crossing back in 1906. It took him and his team three years to make the journey.

Along the way, the French explorer will take video and photos of the fragile Arctic environment in its current state. This will document the impact of warming temperatures on the Northwest Passage. He'll also take samples of the ground, measure the level of aerosols in the atmosphere, and study his own brain activity while traveling in an extreme environment. He'll also analyze plankton living in the area to register the impact of changing conditions on them as well. Michon will even dive into the Arctic water to get a look at the passage from underneath the sea too.

You'll be able to follow Michon's expedition when he gets underway in early March on his website, Facebook page, and Twitter. It should certainly be an interesting adventure to watch unfold.

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Antarctica 2017: The End is in Sight for More Antarctic Teams

The Antarctic expedition season is nearing its end with just a few short weeks to go until the frozen continent is shut off to the outside world once again. But, there are still a number of teams that are working their way towards the finish line as the days slowly tick by.

We'll start with an update on Rob and Barney Swan, the father and son team that has been out on the ice for nearly two months now. The duo undertook this expedition as a way to raise awareness of clean energy with a focus on creating a 7-year goal to clean up 326 million tons of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere in accordance to the Paris Accords. They have even used nothing be clean energy sources to power their adventure, using solar energy to keep all of their devices going.

Yesterday, the two men – along with a group of skiers who joined them for the final degree – reached the South Pole. It took them 56 days to compete the journey, covering roughly 600 nautical miles (690 miles/1112 km) in the process. Rob has been here before and knew what to expect, but was still impressive in his efforts at the age of 61. For Barney, it was his first polar journey at the age of 23. Congratulations to both of them.

Meanwhile, Norwegian skiers Astrid Furholt and Jan Sverre Sivertsen are closing in on the Pole as well. The duo were amongst the first to hit the ice way back in November, and have been following the original Amundsen route to 90ºS. If all goes as planned, they should arrive their as early as tomorrow, but their updates indicate they are exhausted, pushing hard against headwinds, and struggling to cover the full distances they need. Still, they are currently within striking distance of the South Pole station and should get there soon.


Their original plan was to ski the return leg back to the coast to complete a round-trip journey, but with the season now running short, It seems unlikely that will happen. We should know more in a few days, but the last ALE flight off the continent for clients is scheduled for January 26, just 10 days from now.

The Ice Maidens are now racing against the clock to beat that deadline, but they too have the end in sight. The six women who make up the team reached the South Pole all the way back on December 17, but that was just a milestone on their continued traverse of the Antarctica. By the time they are done, they will have covered more than 1700 km (1056 miles), beginning and ending at the coast. They'll also be the first all-female team to accomplish that task.

Finally, the Spectre team has completed its expedition at long last. You may recall that this expedition was made of three climbers –  Leo Houlding, Jean Burgun, and Mark Sedon – who traveled to Antarctica to climb the Spectre rock spire in the Gothic Mountains. They used kite skis to reach that point back in December, and actually completed their climb on December 12, then started for home two days later. It took them until last Thursday – January 11 – to reach their exit point on the coast. It was a hard slog back, often with very little wind to help assist in the process. It ended up taking far longer than they expected, but they completed their journey at last and are now safely back home.

We'll continue to keep an eye on the Antarctic season as things unfold over the next couple of weeks. But, the curtain is definitely dropping on the expedition season, with very few teams still out on the ice. I'll post updates of any important news as it happens.

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10-Month Long Outdoor Instructor Course Sends Students on World-Spanning Adventure

If you've always wanted to be an outdoor guide or instructor, I have some news that you might find interesting. Sharks Lodge, a Portugal-based adventure travel company, is launching a new program that will train students to work in the outdoor and travel industry in a 10-month long course designed to give them all of the skills they need, while sending them off on a global adventure.

The new program is scheduled to get underway on March 1, 2018 in Portugal. That course has been specifically built to prepare those who take part both mentally and physically for the challenges they face while working in the outdoor industry. It also has been padded with plenty of time to allow entrants to learn a moderate, but steady, pace while working in a group environment.

Completion of the course will offer official qualifications in a wide variety of areas, including canoe and kayak safety and rescue, mountain training, mountain bike guiding, first aid skills, lifeguard skills, surf instructor, VHF Radio Operator, and much more.

According to an email I received announcing this course, students will work on their skills (See below) for five months, with a break coming in August. At that time, they can choose to take a holiday or do a month-long internship. In September, they'll then work on earning their certifications in preparation for the big adventure to come. From October to December the enrollees will put their new-found skills and knowledge to the test by organizing expeditions and adventure travel itineraries across the globe, with the Shark Lodge staff helping to get them organized and off the ground.


The course will be held in Portugal not only because it is the home of Sharks Lodge, but also because it creates a unique base camp for operations. The cost of living is very affordable, there is plenty of good weather, and there are a number of great options for hiking, surfing, swimming, and climbing within easy striking distance.

The price for the course is set at €14800 ($17,550) per person. That includes all training and assessment fees, insurance while training, accommodations and meals, transportation, equipment, budget for flights and actives, and more.

According to the course overview website, students who enter the program will learn the following skills:

Hard Skills

• Backpacking
• Mountain Biking
• Rock Climbing
• Sea Kayaking
• Canoe and Whitewater kayak
• Rafting
• Surfing
• Kite surfing
• Scuba Diving
• Ski and Snowboard
• Expedition Planning
• Expedition Video and Photography
• Survival Training
• Power boat, VHF
• Beach Lifeguard
• 1st Aid in remote areas
• Cross fit training
• surfboard and kayak building

Soft Skills

• Leadership
• Problem Solving
• Selfconfidence
• Team Building
• Team Work
• Team Management
• Foundations of Adventure Programming
• Practical and Organisational Skills for Outdoor Leaders
• Instruction and Facilitation in Adventure Programming
• Metaskills for Outdoor Leaders

To find out more about this opportunity, visit the Sharks Lodge website. 

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Antarctica 2017: Ben Saunders Reaches South Pole, Halts Expedition

While we were away enjoying the holiday break a lot of things happened in the world of outdoor adventure and exploration. Unfortunately, I'm off again tomorrow on a winter trip to North Carolina, which means we have a lot of ground to cover today, starting with updates from the Antarctic.

Perhaps the biggest news from the past couple of weeks is that British polar explorer Ben Saunders reached the South Pole on December 29, marking a major milestone on his attempt to ski solo across the continent. But, what was to have been just a temporary stopping point turned into the finish line for Saunders, who decided to pull the plug on his expedition at 90ºS.

When he reached the Pole, Ben issued a statement explaining why he decided to end his attempt to make a solo traverse of the Antarctic and basically it came down to simple logistics. He said that when he arrived at the South Pole he felt good, although a bit more physically and mentally drained than he had expected. But, the real challenge was that he had used up more food and supplies than he had planned for just getting to that point. That left him with a narrow margin for error on his return trip to the coast and that was a risk he simply wasn't willing to take. So, it was with a heavy heart that he announced the end of the journey.


Remember, Saunders was following the same route as his friend Henry Worsley, who attempted a solo traverse a couple of years back. Worsley pushed himself to the absolute limit and came up a bit short on his return journey, having to be evacuated some 30 miles from the finish line. He would later die from exhaustion and a number of ailments that he picked up on his journey. Ben no doubt remembers his well and decided to make the prudent – but tough – decision to call it quits.

As I write this, Ben has already departed Antarctica and his making his way home. A flight back to Punta Arenas, Chile allowed him to exit the continent yesterday. He is no doubt now looking forward to returning to the U.K. to visit friends and family, and take a well deserved rest.

Ben isn't the only Antarctic explorer who reached the South Pole while we were away. Antarctic Ghurka Scott Sears also arrived at 90ºS, reaching the point on the globe the day after Christmas. He completed the standard crossing from Hercules Inlet to the Pole in roughly 38 days, which is a solid pace along that tough route. He caught a flight off the frozen continent back on December 29, and expected to be back in London in time for New Years.

I'll post updates on the other ongoing Antarctic expeditions in the next few days as there are still plenty of others who are making their way towards their final goals. The Antarctic expedition season typically runs through the end of January, so we should have some interesting news yet to come.

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Antarctica 2017: Ice Maidens at the South Pole, Others Soldier On

The Antarctic expedition season began way back in early November, and we've been following along closely ever since. On Sunday we had our first arrival at the South Pole however, which is a major milestone. But what was once the finish line for so many teams is now just the halfway point on much longer journeys, with explorers and endurance athletes pushing themselves even further across the frozen continent.

It was the Ice Maidens who marked their arrival at 90ºS on December 17, arriving 26 days after they set out on their 1700 km (1056 miles) expedition to traverse the frozen continent. They planned to spend a full day resting at the Amundsen-Scott Base located at the Pole before they continued on their way.

This milestone is a major one of course, and no doubt brought plenty of encouragement to the six ladies who have undertaken this historic journey across Antarctica. But the South Pole is only 577 km (358 miles) into their crossing, so they still have a very long way to go. They've also faced grueling conditions along the way, with -50ºC/-58ºF temperatures, high winds, and whiteout. Additionally, several of the women are also suffering from polar thigh, a condition that results from over exposure to the cold, giving rise to painful bumps and blisters.

Still, the members of the team are ready to continue on and should have hit the trail again today. They resupplied at the Pole and will pick up another supply cache en route to their finish line. They are racing the clock somewhat, as the final flight out of Antarctica is expected on January 30 and since they had a two week delay to their start due to weather, there is little cushion remaining in their schedule. We'll keep you posted on the team's progress.


Elsewhere, the Antarctic Ghurka Scott Sears continues to make solid progress and now hopes to arrive at the South Pole in time for Christmas Dinner next week. He's now been out on the ice for a month, and is routinely knocking off about 30 km (18.6 miles) per day. A few days back he wandered into a massive sastrugi zone that has made it tough going, but once he clear that and passes the 88th degree, it should be clear sailing to 90ºS. The zone between the 87th and 88th parallels is well known for being extremely difficult thanks to its surface conditions, but Scott should clear that area in another day or two and start picking up steam again.

Other teams are chipping away at their respective routes as well. Rob and Barney Swan are now 300 nautical miles (345 miles/555 km) from the South Pole, while Ben Saunders now faces 532 miles (856 km) until he reaches his exit point. The Spectre team is on their return trip now and has a brutal 1367 km (849 miles) to go before they're done. That said, with some help from the wind and their kites, they may be able to cover that distance pretty quickly.

Stay tuned for more updates from the frozen continent.

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Antarctica 2017: Spectre Team Heading For Home, Ben Crosses 87ºS

It has been another busy couple of days in the Antarctic where the teams continue to hit milestones on their various expeditions. By now, most everyone has settled into a routine and have hit their stride, which makes it easier to cover the miles, even if they all still face major challenges ahead.

For the Spectre team of Leo Houlding, Jean Burgun, and Mark Sedon the next stage of their journey is clear. The boys have abandoned the Gothic Mountains after achieving their goal of summiting the Spectre rock spire this past weekend and are now turning for home. They left this morning while experiencing the best weather of the trip so far. Eventually they'll deploy their kites to help speed them along back to the coast, but for now they're man hauling it while they work through an area thick with crevasses and snow bridges.

Before leaving, the team spent the past few days continuing to climb in the area. They had knocked off the Spectre, completing the second ascent of that tower from the north, and yesterday they mad a trick ascent to the summit of another rock face called Organ Pipe A. The climb was tricky over mixed terrain that included rock, snow, and ice. There were few cracks to use as holds or to install climbing aids, but they still managed to make it to the top, and rappel back down. The weather was reportedly fantastic, and it was a good way to cap the climbing portion of the expedition. Now, they're simply focused on the return trip.

Ben Saunders is a long way away from starting the final stage of his journey across the Antarctic but he did hit another major milestone today. On his march to the South Pole, the British polar explorer has now crossed 87ºS as he closes in on the bottom of the world. He now has roughly 590 miles (949 km) to go before he is done, and he knows it won't be easy.


The day began with a large sastrugi field that made for tough going, zapping the legs and slowing progress. Later in the day, the surface flattened out however allowing Saunders to ski more naturally for one of the first times since he returned to the antarctic. It isn't likely to last, as the area after the 87th degree is known to be a sastrugi minefield, but he'll take what he can get while it lasts. At the moment, he's knocking off about 14 miles (22 km) per day, which means it'll likely take all of the 65 days he predicted – and perhaps then some – to complete the traverse.

Father and son team Rob and Barney Swan hit the halfway point of their expedition today, 23 days into their march. The duo are skiing to the South Pole via the standard route that begins at Hercules Inlet. They've now reached the Thiel Mountains and have experienced a couple of days of excellent weather with warmer temperatures, lighter winds, and blue skies overhead. In other words, perfect ski conditions that have allowed them to cover about 10 miles (16 km) per day.

Rob and Barney are making this journey to promote the use of alternate sources of fuel and clean energy products. Of course, like everyone else in the antarctic, they're using solar panels to charge their electronic gear, but they are also using a new biofuel from Shell in their stoves. So far, this is proving to be clean and efficient, not causing them any problems with blocked fuel lines or burning through too much gas.

They are also using solar powered snow melters to create fresh drinking water too, which is a serious innovation for polar travel. Normally, expeditions heading to the North or South Pole, or even up big mountains, have to spend an inordinate amount of time melting snow so they have water to drink or use in their food preparation. But The Swans have a new device that melts the snow while they ski, allowing them to save a lot of time and energy. I'll be curious to find out how this works, as will a number of others who follow polar expeditions closely.

Finally, the Ice Maidens continue to pick up steam on their way to towards the South Pole. Yesterday was their first 30 km (18 mile) day, which means they have certainly found their groove. They still have a long way to go to reach their goal of becoming the first all-women's team to traverse across the continent, but the ladies have more than demonstrated their strength, determination, and skill out on the ice.

More updates soon!

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All-Star American Climbing Team Putting Up New Routes in the Antarctic

Yesterday I noted the success of an international team of climbers in the Antarctic who completed the second ascent of a rock spire called the Spectre. Not to be outdone by their European counterparts, a group of all-start climbers from the U.S. is also down south and has been putting up some impressive routes as well.

The very strong team of climbers includes the likes of Conrad Anker, Jimmy Chin, Alex Honnold, Cedar Wright, Savannah Cumins, and Anna Pfaff. The group is also joined by cameraman Pablo Durana, who is documenting the expedition to Queen Maud Land, where they are focused on opening new routes in an area rich with possibilities.

According to this story from Planet Mountain, Honnold and Wright have been exploring different routes near the famous Ulvetanna cathedral. The entire team arrived on the frozen continent on December 1, and immediately started scouting out six different peaks that surround their base camp, which includes Holtanna, Hollstind, Kinntanna, Stetind, Hel and, obviously, Ulvetanna itself.

Reportedly, Honnold and Wright first joined forces with Cumins and Pfaff to climb the 2650 meter (8694 ft) Holtanna, before they moved on to establish three new routes in the region, including a 400 meter (1312 ft) line up Mount Fenris. Meanwhile, Anker and Chin have been focused on a project of their own which involves a new route up Ulvetanna.

As you can imagine, we'll be keeping an eye on their progress for the rest of the season. It should be interesting to see what this incredibly talented group can do. Hopefully we'll get some awesome video footage out of it.

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Want to Become a Polar Explorer? Apply for this Scholarship to Learn From Eric Larsen!

Over the past month or so, I've been writing extensively about the unfolding expedition season down in Antarctica. As I write this, adventurous men and women are making their way across the frozen continent on skis while pulling sleds filled with supplies and gear behind them as they go. Some are headed to the South Pole, other are traversing to different places, but they are all crossing one of the most dramatic, demanding, and spectacular wildernesses on the planet. If you've ever dreamed of doing that same thing, then I definitely have a tip for you.

In January of 2018, polar explorer Eric Larsen will be conducting a Level 1 Polar Training course to help others follow in his footsteps. The course will be held on Lake Winnipeg in Canada and will consist of a week of intense training that will help you to become more adept at winter travel or even prepare you for your own journey to the North or South Pole.

The course will consist of three days of indoor training, which in turn leads to four days of practical experience out in the field. Students will actually embark on a traverse around Lake Winnipeg in conditions that will replicate those found near the poles. They'll travel on skis, pull their sleds, sleep in tents, and learn every aspect of what it is like to survive in arctic conditions.

If this sounds like your kind of adventure, you can actually apply for a scholarship to attend the program. Allied Feather & Down and Helly Hansen have teamed up to give one lucky recipient the chance to travel to Lake Winnipeg to take part in the course, which is taught by Eric himself. The scholarship covers all the costs, including required gear, travel expenses, course fees, and more.

You can find out a lot more about the training program – including a full itinerary – by clicking here. And if this sounds like something you'd like to take part in, you can apply for the scholarship by clicking here.

If you've ever had dreams of skiing to the South Pole but weren't sure how to get your expedition off the ground, this course will certainly put you on track. You'll not only come away with some valuable skills for use in polar conditions, you'll also get the chance to learn from a guy who has spent a lot of time in very cold places. This will be the chance of a lifetime for some lucky adventurer and I'll definitely be jealous of whomever gets the opportunity.

Find out more here.

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Video: To the South Pole with the Energy Challenge Team

I've written about Rob and Barney Swan a couple of times during the current Antarctic expedition season, but this video does a good jog of sharing their story. This father and son team are skiing to the South Pole to help raise awareness of renewable and clean energy sources. But in this clip, it's more about the relationship between the two men, who are spending weeks out on the ice together on their journey to 90ºS.

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Antarctica 2017: Spectre Team Summits and Antarctica Without Sound

More news from the Antarctic today, where the expedition season continues to unfold at a fairly fast pace. The explorers who are making their way across the continent this year seem to continue to hit milestones on their way towards their own individual objectives. And while the season still has a very long way to go before it ends, it seems like it will be one of the more interesting years on the frozen continent in quite some time.

Will begin with an update on the Spectre team, which consists of Leo Houlding, Jean Burgun, and Mark Sedon. This trio of adventurers set off across the Antarctic via kite ski to reach the Gothic Mountains. Their plan was to climb a challenging rock spire called the Spectre by making the first ascent via the South Spur. Unfortunately, when they finally arrived there, they discovered that route that they had indeed to use for their descent was incredibly difficult, consisting more of blue ice and snow than rock and solid ground.

When we checked in with the team last week they were setting off on a traverse of the tower to look for alternate ways of getting back down. What they discovered that this rock face presented more challenges than they had first anticipated, so they had a quick change of plans and decided to change up their route and climb the North Side of the Spectre instead. That route was originally climbed by Mugs & Edmund Stump back in the 80's and remains the best approach to the top.

On Sunday, the trio of climbers set out to complete their objective and while it was hardly an easy ascent, they did manage to top out. Along the way they had to deal with cold temperatures, unexpected winds, and a complex rock face that was tougher than they thought it would be. You can read their account of the climb here.


With ascent of the Spectre over, the team now has a couple of days before they have to begin the return journey. Before heading for home, they're going to take on a traverse of a nearby ridge that will be a good challenge, but safer than attempting the South Spur, which is difficult enough that it now falls outside of their margin of safety. They hope to complete this new objective in a day or two, then begin packing for the journey back to the coast.

Meanwhile, Ben Saunders continues his tough slog up the Antarctic Plateu. He has reached an altitude of about 2000 meters (6561 ft), so the air is getting thinner and he still has a ways to climb before he is done. The weather has been fickle, at times sunny and warm and then quickly shifting to cold, windy, and with whiteout conditions. His daily distances are roughly 14 miles (22 km), which is enough to keep taking chunks out of his route. At the moment, he has about 620 miles (997 km) to go before he is done and about a month and a half before the season wraps up. Still very doable, particularly since he'll pick up speed as he approaches the South Pole and on the return trip to the coast.

Finally, Antarctic Ghurka Scott Sears has been dealing with other challenges, most notably a malfunctioning iPod. He's been using the device to help him get through the day by listening to music, podcasts, and audio books while he skis. But, the audio player has suddenly started running into issues which have provided him with complete silence instead. Scott says the silence was actually quite pleasant for awhile, but it makes his 12 hour days on the trail seem even longer than they actually are.

Scott's pace has been extremely quick in recent days, knocking off 30+ km (18+ miles) or more each day. This has allowed him to ski past the 86th parallel and he is now quickly approaching the 87ºS mark. From there he'll enter a zone that is well known for its sastrugi, which will likely slow him down and test the legs and stamina a bit. After that, it will be smooth sailing to the Pole however, which he may reach in time for Christmas.

That's all for today from Antarctica. We'll continue to keep an eye on things at the bottom of the world however, and bring updates where warranted.

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Antarctica 2017: Maidens Halfway to the Pole and the Challenges of Going Solo

The 2017 Antarctic expedition season continues to unfold at the bottom of the world. Unlike our last update, most of the skiers are now reporting good weather, although surface conditions remain challenging with sastrugi and soft snow making for slow going at times. Still, the teams that we've been following closely continue to forge ahead, making progress toward their individual goals.

Ben Saunders has been out on the ice longer than anyone and he's being reminded of the challenges of going solo. Back in 2014 he made a round trip expedition to the South Pole and back to the coast with Tarka L'Herpiniere and the duo split duties breaking trail. That helped to give each of them a break from being the lead man, but perhaps more importantly also provided some companionship on the hardest days. On his current traverse of the frozen continent, Saunders has neither someone to split those duties with nor anyone to keep him company either. That has worn on him some, causing him to grow tired more quickly. As a result, he's being more conservative with his efforts.

Still, the British polar explorer continues to make good strides forward. He's been knocking off 12-14 miles (19-22 km) per day and now has 688 miles to go before he's done. That is still a considerable distance, but he has now passed the 85ºS mark and has his sights set on reaching the Pole before he begins his return trip to the coast at the Ross Ice Shelf.

Speaking of making good time, Scott Sears – aka the Antarctic Ghurka – has found his rhythm and is covering solid distances most days now. Yesterday he managed to cover 40.1 km (25 miles) in a little more than 12 hours of skiing. In Antarctic terms, that is flying and he should be very pleased with the progress. He also passed the 84th degree, and is making his way towards Thiels Corner on the edge of the Thiel Mountains. That's a milestone for anyone skiing to the South Pole as most make a turn there and begin heading more directly towards 90ºS.


So far, Scott seams to be in excellent spirits and is enjoying his expedition. He hopes to become the youngest person to ski solo for the full distance to the South Pole, and right now that seems like an attainable goal. He is starting to get low on podcasts that he downloaded prior to setting out, which have kept him company on the journey however, but it seems unlikely that will hinder his progress too much.

Elsewhere, the Ice Maidens have reached a major milestone on their journey across Antarctica as well. The six ladies who make up the team have now reached the halfway point to the South Pole, which is remarkable considering their late start. Poor weather conditions kept them grounded at Union Glacier for far longer than they would have liked, but they've definitely been making up for it since. They are hoping to become the first all female team to traverse the continent under their own power however, so the Pole itself will just be their halfway point too. So far, everything is going well.

Finally, the Spectre team made it to the foot of the mountain this past weekend and have now established Base Camp there. They've already been scouting the rock towers they hope to climb there, but have discovered some unexpected challenges. For instance, a section of the mountain that they thought might be skiable, or at least make for an easier descent, is actually a 70º wall of blue ice. Obviously they'll have to look for a different route than they had planned, but such is life in the Antarctic.

The team planned on spending yesterday traversing the Spectre rock towers to look for alternative exits, but they have announced any plans yet. They've been enjoying a few days of staying in one place after battling their kites for a couple of weeks just to get to the mountain. Soon, they'll begin their ascent, weather permitting of course.

That's all for today. I'll continue to keep an eye on things down south in the days ahead and share updates when applicable.

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Video: Krzsztof Wielicki Shares Thoughts on Polish Winter Expedition to K2

We've previewed the Polish winter expedition to K2 a couple of times already and we're still several weeks away from the team actually arriving on the mountain. But, this is certainly a climb that will draw a lot of attention in the weeks ahead, and this video gives us some insights into that adventure courtesy of Krzsztof Wielicki himself. The 67-year old climber is the leader of the expedition and has considerable experience on major mountains all over the world. This clip is an interview with the Polish alpinist who offers insightful thoughts on the challenge ahead.

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British Ultrarunner Completes 70-Mile Crossing of Desert in Kazakhstan

Photo courtesy of Mark Woodward

A British ultrarunner by the name of Jamie Maddison has become the first person to cross the Saryesik-Atyrau Desert in Kazakhstan on foot. The 29-year old endurance athlete spent 30 hours traveling 70 miles (112 km) while enduring intense heat throughout the journey, which took place in October.

Maddison began his run in a the town of Birlik, which located on the western edge of the Saryesik-Atyrau Desert. He made a nighttime stopover mid-run because the driver of his support vehicle was having a difficult time navigating in the remote area and was himself getting dangerously tired. The following day Maddison resumed his expedition, reaching the end point at a river that borders the desert, and plunging in to cool off.

In an interview discussing the expedition the ultrarunner says that there were certainly times when he wanted to give up. Just 32 miles (51 km) in he thought he would have to call it quits after exhaustion started to set in. After running up and down dunes for hours on end, and enduring 97ºF (36ºC) heat, Jamie says he could feel his vision closing in around him. He describes the experience as time slowing down and putting one foot in front of the other took a tremendous effort. He also says that when the expedition was over, there was much of it he couldn't remember at all.

Maddison also says that if he were to do things over, he would have went at a later time of the year when temperatures weren't quite so harsh. He has spent years traveling in Central Asia, so he felt prepared for the desert crossing, but even then the intense heat still caught him a bit off guard. For others attempting a similar challenge he recommends taking your time, studying and researching the region fully, and preparing as best you can for the challenges you'll face in the field.

You can read the entire interview by clicking here. Congratulations to Jamie on undertaking and completing this tough expedition.

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Video: An Expedition to Climb Ushba - A Remote Mountain in Georgia

Ushba is a remote peak located in the Caucasus Mountains of Georgia. Standing 4710 meters (15,452 ft) in height, Ushba is a daunting climb that begins with a trek into the starting point on foot. In this video, we join a team of climbers that includes Samuel Anthamatten, Markus Eder, and Leo Slemett as they travel to Ushba to not only climb the mountain, but also make the first ski descent as well. As you can imagine, it is quite an experience.

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