Trek To The South Pole (Lower North Island)

The team will meet in Punta Arenas on the southern tip of Chile. From here we utilise an Ilyushin 76 aircraft to gain access to a blue ice runway on the Antarctic continent, a flight of around four hours. This landing site is known as Patriot Hills, is situated at 80 degrees south, and is the Antarctic base for our expedition. After final preparations are completed the group is shuttled from Patriot Hills to the edge of the Antarctic Continent by ski equipped Twin Otter aircraft. The plane departs and we are left to the silence of Antarctic and the huge task of walking the 1200km over the next two months to the South Pole! The first few days will be spent hauling smaller loads in our sleds as the first destination along the route is to retrace our flight path back to Patriot Hills. Being en route to the Pole, Patriot Hills provides an ideal stopping place to re-supply and sort out any problems with equipment, which may arise in those first few days. Skis will be worn for the entirety of the expedition (with a few possible exceptions) which will be the telemark type with 'skins' on the base for traction. We share tents and the chores of cooking. The coldest part of the day will be in the breakdown of the camp. Each day we will move for (5 to) 8 to 10 hours with regular rests for food and fluid intake. After visiting Patriot Hills camp for the second time, we begin the trek in earnest. We will carry provisions on our sleds to last us until we arrive at our pre-placed supply cache approximately 38 days into the journey. The cache will be placed (by) along the route on a specially chartered flight and will sustain us for the final leg to the South Pole. Navigation will be accomplished using GPS navigation equipment. NOT INCLUDED: Air travel to and accomodation in Punta Arenas, visas and airport fees, personal insurance, cost of any rescue, personal clothing, boots, sleeping gear and skis.