John’s
aim is to walk from Hercules Inlet, on the north coast of Antarctica,
to the South Pole - a distance of just over 700 miles. Starting
at near sea level the route rises to around 9,300 ft at the
Pole.
The
temperature will vary from a few degrees below zero to as low
as -40°C and, with the wind in his face for most of the
way, it will feel considerably colder.
Everything
John needs to survive for around 60 days must be pulled behind
him in a sledge, weighing around 300 lbs.
Less
than 50 people have made this journey unsupported. Only 7 have
ever done so alone.
Success
will require an extreme level of fitness, resourcefulness and
determination and training to survive in the most hostile environment.
But, no matter how well prepared, weather, injury, and luck
will all play a major part in whether John succeeds.
To
get to the starting line, John flies by Russian cargo Jet to
Patriot Hills – a grand name for a few tents set up on
the ice some 50 miles inland. After a couple of days of final
training and testing of equipment, he flies to the coast, where
he is on his own for the next 6 – 9 weeks.
If
he makes it to the Pole, John gets a lift back again by plane.
If he doesn’t, he must hope his emergency locator beacon
is working. |
