Todd Carmichael: King of the Antarctic–The Adventurist Interview Part II

Editors Note:  On December 21, 2008 at 6:04 pm, Todd Carmichael became the first American to go solo, unaided, and unsupported to The South Pole.  His adventure would also break the World Speed Record set by Hannah McKeand in 2006.  Before Todd’s historic expedition began, I had the opportunity to interview him about his upcoming adventure.  (You can read that interview here.)  Todd’s time of 39 days, 7 hours, and 49 minutes is quite remarkable pending the circumstances that Todd was fighting through.  Upon his successful completion and a month of recovery time, it is my pleasure to have the opportunity to interview Todd about his historic expedition, finally reaching the Pole in record time, his future, and what exactly was going on in those final two days that communication with Todd was lost.  Much of this interview will surprise many of you for it’s candidness, but anyone who knows him, knows that Todd can only be one way–real.  I hope you enjoy.

Todd, the last time we spoke you were preparing to embark on an expedition to the South Pole. You seemed confident and focused on the adventure at hand. It looks like that confidence and focus payed huge dividends. You are now the first American to go solo and unsupported to the South Pole. You also broke Hannah McKeand’s world speed record for a solo and unsupported expedition. First off, congratulations, and secondly, have you had time to put this all in perspective?

I think I have, but it’s hard to say. This one was so very important to me and the “title” means so much that I’m having a rough time realizing that it is done and that I managed to capture it. What I do know is that friends and family still have a way to go. You see, there was a lot that went on that I wasn’t sharing during the expedition, from coughing up blood the last 10 days to an avalanche of drama that happened the last two days after my communications and navigation systems went down. Now that they know the whole story they have blocked it out I think.

Looking back on this expedition, you ran into some problems right off the bat. The bindings on both skis decided to let go. This unfortunate event may be looked upon as being a key to your future speed record. To my knowledge, nobody has ever WALKED to the South Pole on foot. Do you think that this allowed you to move faster, or do you think your timing suffered by not having the skis?

Aside from some blue ice early on, trekking 690 miles in ski boots is a lot like racing in the Tour de France with your Mom’s three speed - complete with faux wicker basket and thumb bell. Then there is the challenge of not letting it all get you down - even though you’re slugging out an additional 4-5 hours per day on the slim hope you won’t be crushed at the 88th onward, home of the deep powder surface. Overall – I strongly recommend skis if you are serious about making it in one piece, or at all.

Once you got on track, decided to ditch the skis, and make some progress, some interesting things started to happen. You ran into the Shackleton Centenary Expedition, whom allowed you to hold Sir Ernest Shackleton’s original compass. Hannah McKeand and her father contacted you and wished you well on your record run. Looking back at the history and the things that were lining up, when did you sense that history was in the making and that you had a definite shot at obtaining the unthinkable?

It’s hard to say WHEN that moment came, because I was still unbelieving when I finally arrived at the pole. Having said that I do remember when I set my sights on it, at day twelve some 45 miles behind pace and on foot. I did the math and it occurred to me that if I stretched my work day by some 4-5 more hours, I could conceivably do it, if if if and a lot more ifs. Strangely I decided right then to look at it in terms of HAVING IT, that it was indeed mine and that I simply had to fight to keep it. That is how I began to think that 12th day, with Hanna far in the distance. This made me bite down hard into the task and go into this hyper focus mode, so much so I hardly recognized the guy I had become.

Towards the end of your expedition, going into those final two days, contact was lost. Some of us worried that something was wrong. We now know that you decided not to worry about logistics and focused on a major final push. Can you take us back to those final two days, elaborate a little on what was going on, and clue us in to those final moments?

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Matrix Shackleton Centenary Expedition Reaches The South Pole

After 66 days of hauling their sledges, and without any outside assistance, Henry Worsley, Will Gow and Henry Adams today arrived at the South Pole at 0330 hrs GMT. They have travelled 799 nautical miles (919 statute miles or 1471 km) to achieve their goal of completing “unfinished family business”.

The Matrix Shackleton Centenary Team has finally arrived at their destination.  All told, their expedition took 66 days.  That is not a speed record by any definition, but the Shackleton Centenary Team had other priorities with their expedition.  One hundred years ago Ernest Shackleton made the same pilgrimage.  He didn’t reach the Pole, but he did lead the way and show the future route that would eventually be opened up by Roald Amundsen.  The Matrix Shackleton Centenary Expedition involved many people who were directly descended from Ernest Shackleton’s 1909 Nimrod Expedition.  They explained that they had ‘unfinished business’ at the South Pole and wanted to finally bring that coveted piece of adventure back to their familys.

The team has posted a couple of photos of them at both, the ceremonial South Pole and the Geographic South Pole, and are now celebrating their accomplishment.  There are still other members on this expedition who are gunning for the South Pole.  They should arrive at some point today.

I have covered this expedition with quite the interest.  I was even able to interview Henry Worsley before he departed for Antarctica.  You can read that interview here, or you can read an overview of what all the fuss is about.  This was a big expedition that offered some great insight into the previous history of Antarctic exploration.  The Matrix Shackleton Expedition hit all the major points that Ernest Shackleton first discovered.  They took their time and accomplished all of their goals.  Way to go guys!  In the process of this expedition, The Matrix Shackleton Centenary Expedition also made a discovery of their own.  They discovered a previously unpublished poem by Ernest Shackleton tucked away in a book found in Chile.  You can read the cool story on the poem’s discovery and even read the poem at the Shackleton Centenary Expedition website.

An interesting side-note:  The Matrix Shackleton Centenary Expedition took the actual compass that Ernest Shackleton used on his Nimrod expedition.  During the course of this latest adventure, The Shackleton Centenary Expedition would meet up with Todd Carmichael–the first American to go solo and unsupported to the South Pole.  Todd was able to hold the compass in his hands and even talked of this meeting in one of his own audio reports.  Little did he know that only a month later that he would be adding even more history to this historical artifact.  Todd went on to break the solo and unsupported World Speed Record to the South Pole.  Coincidence?  I think Ernest was looking down upon all of them with a grin.  Ernest may have never reached the Pole, but now his descendants have and so has his compass.  Cheers, guys!

The Laws of Adventure And Exploration In The 21st Century–An Editorial

By Jason A. Hendricks

On December 14, 1911, Roald Amundsen became the first person to reach the South Pole.  His original feat would lay the groundwork for 100 years of adventuring and exploration on the Antarctic continent.  The world knew of Amundsen’s feat.  It was celebrated around the world as a feat of impossible measures.

Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay achieved the same when they decided to take that final step to the top of Mt. Everest in 1953.  They graced the cover of Time magazine and National Geographic.  They became worldwide icons for what seemed to be another impossible feat.

Both of these situations are very similar in the way they came about.  They are also very similar in how they relate to adventure and exploration in the 21st century.  Each event was led by someone who did not believe in the impossible.  The first, whether it was reaching one of the Poles or climbing the highest peak in the world, always brought a sense of awe from the public.  Over time, these early expeditions became the stuff of legends.  A big list of explorers and adventurers would follow in their footsteps, each with their own agenda, each with their own reasonings on making the expedition, and each with with their eyes on the impossible.

Some say that exploration and adventure in the 21st century is dead.  All places have been explored, all major feats have been accomplished, and there is no new ground to cover when it comes to rewriting the history books.  If you can’t be first, then why try?  If you can’t be the best, is it worth the effort?  Nobody remembers the guy that comes in second.

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The Adventurist: Showing Some Media Love

The recent news of Todd Carmichael becoming the first American to go solo and unsupported to the South Pole (and claiming a new world speed record) has put The Adventurist back in the media light.  I thought it would be a good idea to mention a couple of places that are currently mentioning myself or The Adventurist and pointing you back in their direction.

The first mention comes from Michael Klein who writes a column about local people, places, and things for The Philadelphia Inquirer.  Michael recently published this article on Todd Carmichael, then gave The Adventurist a mention in his “The Insider” blog for Philly.com.  The piece that Michael put up on ‘The Insider” takes a look at Todd’s recent speed record to the South Pole, then gets a few comments from former record holder Hannah McKeand.  Thanks for the mention, Michael!  The Philadelphia Inquirer is one of my first stops when I am reading the nations headlines.

The second mention comes from Kevin Callahan who writes outdoor stories and columns for South Jersey’s The Courier-Post.  Kevin also writes a piece concerning Todd Carmichael and gives myself and The Adventurist a very nice mention in his “Into The Outside” blog.  Some of you may know Kevin for his 15 years of service chronicling the Philadelphia Eagles for the Courier-Post.  Stop by and check out his blog for all the latest on the South Jersey outdoors scene.

Thank-you guys.  I appreciate it much and look forward to reading your work in the days ahead.

As this story continues to grow, if there are anymore mentions etc., I will mention them in this post.  Check back often for updates.

Cheers-

Jason A. Hendricks

39 Days, 7 Hours, 49 Minutes: Todd Carmichael Officially Breaks Hannah McKeand’s South Pole World Speed Record

 

 

Todd Carmichael has officially set a new solo and unsupported world speed record to the South Pole.  His time of 39 days, 7 hours, and 33 minutes bested former world record holder Hannah McKeand’s time of 39 days, 9 hours, and 33 minutes set back in 2006.  This is an official time coming from Todd’s tracking equipment and being reported by ExplorersWeb.

How close was it?

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Todd Carmichael Becomes First American To Go Solo And Unsupported To The South Pole!!

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

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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Todd Carmichael Expedition Earth South Pole 2008 Update: The Final Push??

All eyes have turned to Todd Carmichael and his attempt to become the first American to go solo and unsupported to the South Pole.  Over the last few days, Todd had caught up with Hannah McKeand’s world record pace.  He had projected possibly arriving at the South Pole today and in doing so, hopefully beating Hannah McKeand’s South Pole record.  I stayed up late lastnight waiting for the latest update from Todd.  Unfortunately, Todd didn’t update.  This could be due to a number of factors including equipment failure, or Todd is just concentrating on making that final push to the Pole.  Currently his tracking system has him sitting roughly 28 nautical miles from the Pole.

Here is the latest update from Todd Carmichael’s Expedition Earth South Pole 2008 Expedition:

I did not receive a call from Todd last night, though he did activate his secondary beacon locater, the so-called “Yellowbrick”, which intermittently transmits his coordinates. Though he has certainly moved ahead since the latest transmission was sent, the Yellowbrick showed Todd a little more than half way through the final degree. This would put him still some 28 nautical miles from the South Pole.

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Todd Carmichael Catches Hannah McKeand: Root Todd on Towards The New Solo And Unsupported World Speed Record To The South Pole!

Todd Carmichael has finally caught up to Hannah McKeand’s solo and unsupported record pace to the South Pole.  Over the past few days, Todd has been knocking out 20+ miles a day in an all out effort to become the first American to go solo and unsupported to the South Pole.  With this pace, Todd may just earn something bigger than he was bargaining for.  He could become the fastest human to ever go solo and unsupported to the South Pole.  Even more amazing…Todd Carmichael is doing it all on foot!!  After having issues with his ski bindings throughout the first few days on Antarctica, Todd decided to shove the skis aside and go about things the old fashioned way…on foot.  For most expeditions to the South Pole, losing your skis would be certain disaster and cause to abandon any attempt at reaching The Pole.  Todd Carmichael is proving everyone wrong, setting a record pace, and will quite possibly be adding his name to the South Pole record books in a mere 6-7 days.

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Todd Carmichael 2008 Expedition Earth South Pole Update: Challenging Hannah McKeand’s World Speed Record

Todd Carmichael has pushed himself to the brink of doing something unthinkable.  For 31 days, Todd Carmichael has battled the wind, the snow, and the bitter cold of one of the world’s most desolate places.  He started this expedition to the South Pole with the intentions of maybe becoming the first American to go solo and unsupported to the Pole.  Today, roughly 8 days out from his destination, Todd is sitting neck and neck with World Record Holder Hannah McKeand for the fastest solo and unsupported expedition….ever.

Todd’s possible record has not come without a price.  Two days in, one of the bindings on his ski snapped.  He fought through that and rigged it up to work.  The very next day, the binding on the second ski snapped.  After some choice words for the binding manufacturer, Todd got up, tossed his skis aside, and decided to go on foot.  Has anyone actually walked to the South Pole, on foot, solo and unsupported? Probably not. Todd wouldn’t be happy with that record, though.  Eight days from the end, Todd Carmichael has pulled within reach of passing Hannah McKeand’s record breaking pace from 2006.  Hannah made the historic solo and unsupported expedition in a time of 39 days, 10 hours, and 33 minutes.  With just 8 days to go before Todd Carmichael reaches the Pole, it is looking like he may overcome a nearly 20 mile deficit to Hannah’s 2006 pace, to take over the world record.

It hasn’t come without struggle.

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