Todd Carmichael: “When you begin thinking about time – the place begins to crush down on you.” Solo and Unsupported, The Adventurist Interview

Editors Note: Todd Carmichael will be attempting to become the first American to reach the South Pole solo, unsupported, and unaided. It has been done twice previously, but never by an American.  This interview originally appeared as a piece entitled “10 Questions: An Interview With Todd Carmichael” in U.S. Outdoors Today.  As I mentioned on that site, I did have an opportunity to ask Todd a few more questions pertaining to this expedition and now bring this to you in it’s complete entirety.  This interview originally took place on July 28, 2008 and is being republished upon the news of Todd Carmichael’s successful solo and unsupported journey to the South Pole.  Congrats Todd!

First off, Todd, I want to thank-you for allowing me to conduct this interview. It is always a pleasure to speak with those that I follow closely with. I have had the opportunity to watch a few of your videos concerning this expedition. I must say that when I first heard about what you were going to be attempting, I thought you were nuts. After the videos, now I know your nuts! Why the South Pole?

Deserts are my thing - huge unmolested patches of the planet, and Antarctica in my opinion is THE most beautiful desert of them all. As for the South Pole, it’s a natural focal point - the navel of the world if you will.

I can remember reading about Shackleton, Amundsen, and Scott while I was growing up. They always made me think “You know what? When I grow up, I want to do that.” Do you have a similar experience, or how did this idea come about?

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