The team have to contend with 24-hour daylight, temperatures of between -20C and -40C, scenery so bright that it can cause blindness and the constant threat of serious sunburn due to the lack of Ozone above Antarctica. Photo credit: Robert Hollingworth www.roberthollingworth.co.uk
Commonwealth Antarctic Expedition sets off on long trek to South Pole
17 November 2009
International all-woman team marks Commonwealth’s 60th anniversary with record-breaking venture
The Commonwealth Antarctic Expedition begins its mammoth 900km journey to the South Pole this week.
Over the next 40 days an eight-woman expedition team will trek across the most hostile environment on Earth, enduring temperatures of minus 40 degrees centigrade and winds of more than 125 kilometres per hour to reach their destination.
Follow expedition on Twitter
“Nov 16: Kylie NZ. Never experienced wind like this! It sounds like a freight train coming. Tents both damaged. Sewing & patching. Girls gr8.” http://twitter.com/KCAE
The team, representing Brunei Darussalam, Cyprus, India, Jamaica, New Zealand, Singapore and the United Kingdom, is hoping to avoid dangerous crevasses and disorientating blizzards as the women attempt to arrive at the Antarctic epicentre by New Year 2010.
“The whole team is incredibly excited,” said team leader Felicity Aston, of the UK, speaking from the expedition’s base camp this weekend. “We are absolutely pinching ourselves in disbelief that we've made it [to Antarctica].”
Photo credit: Robert Hollingworth www.roberthollingworth.co.uk/The expedition marks the 60th anniversary of the Commonwealth, demonstrating the potential for greater international understanding while highlighting the achievements of women across the world.
The women will be pulling sledges containing all the food, fuel and equipment they will need for their journey. Camping in tents on the ice when they sleep, they will survive on lightweight dehydrated rations and melted snow. Unguided, they will need to rely on each other to navigate themselves safely to the South Pole.
The team was selected from more than 800 applicants. If they reach their destination, it will be the first time that anyone from Brunei, Cyprus or Jamaica has made it to the South Pole. It will also be the first time that a woman from India, New Zealand or Singapore has ventured on this prestigious journey.
The expedition is sponsored by KasperskyLab, an international IT software company. Ms Aston added that the company’s funding support was “vital” for the expedition to go ahead.
The team will be blogging daily during the expedition as well as sending back audio recordings and texts. Those interested can follow the expedition in real time at http://www.commonwealthexpedition.com/ as well as at http://www.kklub.net/ using interactive maps, podcasts and Twitter.
Images courtesy of Robert Hollingworth - http://www.roberthollingworth.co.uk/
Women… you are very talented! I wish you the best as you all well deserved, and I'm confident enough that God will help to make your achievements a success with grace. As a tiny part of humanity, I personally thank you for this amazing effort and contribution you‘ve given to the world.
You are such a team that I have no word to describe. I love all of you. I consider your work as a demostration to humanity how capable women realy are. I wish you the best! Signed: A man on your side
its alo like sports
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