Todd Carmichael Becomes First American To Go Solo And Unsupported To The South Pole!!
December 22, 2008
South Pole Marker. Photo by southpolestation.com
Philadelphia adventurer Todd Carmichael has become the first American to go solo and unsupported to the South Pole. His adventure began 39 days ago as he was dropped off on the Antarctic continent. Through bouts of bad weather, ski bindings that forced Todd to walk on foot for the majority of the journey, and numerous technical problems, Todd Carmichael persevered and can now claim to be the first and only American to ever do this unaided, unsupported, and alone.
Early in Todd’s journey it looked as if he may have to abandon his attempt to reach the South Pole. Frustrated with snapping ski bindings and unable to come up with a permanent fix, Todd decided to throw them aside and continue his journey on foot. Oddly enough, the freedom from not having to traverse the harsh terrain on skis actually helped Todd to quicken his pace. A week before Todd reached the South Pole, it was relayed that he had caught and surpassed legendary Antarctic adventurer Hannah McKeand’s world speed record pace and was set to surpass it by a couple of days. That was before he hit the soft snow of the final degree.
The latest word on Todd’s attempt at the South Pole. solo and unsupported, world speed record has him arriving at the Pole within the same hour that Hannah Mckeand did back in 2006. An ‘official’ time will not be posted until a closer look can take place. That may occur after Todd leaves the Amundsen-Scott South Pole station base in the next couple of days. There are many of us that still have our fingers crossed that Todd that Todd may have captured a new world speed record. Even without that record though, Todd Carmichael has still placed his name amongst some of the great antarctic records and feats to take place in the last 100 years. To become the first American to go solo and unsupported to the South Pole, has a special reverberation. Not only has he done something for himself, but his country can now thank him for capturing this elusive record.
The Adventurist congratulates you Todd on an amazing journey and I look forward to talking with you upon your return to the states. You are an inspiration to many for your great accomplishment. Take a couple days to rest up, then get back home and enjoy the party! Congrats, man!
Read more on Todd Carmichael >>>
Read his 2008 South Pole dispatches from the South Pole>>>
Read an exclusive interview from The Adventurist >>>
Read One of the first media reports from the Philadelphia Inquirer
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Written by Jason A. Hendricks · Filed Under South Pole 2008, Todd Carmichael |
[...] Todd Carmichael has become the first American to make it to the South Pole by himself! We have just received word from Jason Hendricks from The Adventurist that Todd has arrived on foot and possibly broke the world record for the fastest trip to the South Pole unaided. Read the complete story on The Adventurist Blog! [...]
[...] across this story in the Philly Inquirer but of course my fellow blogger Jason Hendricks over at The Adventurist is all over this story. In his journey of 39 days, Carmichael, 45, also became one of only a [...]