South Pole Ski Expedition
55 day expedition
Dates: Nov. 20 to Mid January
Cost: $59,000 USD (2007)
(from Punta Arenas, Chile)
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Travel in the footsteps of Amundsen, Shackleton and Scott across the Antarctic continent to the South Pole.
We begin our ski expedition at Hercules Inlet on the edge of the Ronne Ice Shelf, travel 1,110 kilometers across
the undulating vastness of the Antarctic ice cap and climb to an altitude of 3,000 meters (9,300 ft) to reach the Geographic South Pole.
Our expedition begins in early November getting us to the South Pole at the beginning of January.
The Antarctic summer is an unforgettable experience - the sun shines 24 hours a day warming one's
tent to a comfortable temperature. The wind-blown snow formations (sastrugi) are indescribable and
the untouched splendor of this vast continent is beyond words.
The South Pole expeditions are usually guided by Matty McNair, who has successfully guided 3 expeditions to the South Pole and 2 to the North Pole. NorthWinds prides itself on professionalism, performance and experience. We are committed to safety, traveling in style and caring for the pristine Antarctic environment.
Prerequisites: Must be in excellent physical condition and in good health. Basic cross country ski skills and winter camping experience is required. We will ask you for a detailed resume of your health, physical fitness, skill level and previous expedition experience before accepting you on the expedition. You will also need evacuation insurance.
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Difficulty: |
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Skiing to the South Pole is a possible, feasible and very attainable challenge. We will travel on skis pulling pulks
(sleds) weighing 50 - 60 kg for approximately 7 - 9 hours per day. The skiing surface is generally very good and the
elevation gain gradual. The expedition itself is planned for 60 days (plus or minus 5 days), preceeded by a 3 - 5 day training in Antarctica.
Embarking on a long ski expedition in Polar Regions requires a commitment to properly prepare and train for the expedition
- improving basic skiing skills and physical training are a must.
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