While Many Will Focus On The North Pole This Week An American Completes Solo Hike To South Pole
December 23, 2008
In what seems to me to be an unbelievable feat, Todd Carmichael solo hiked to the South Pole. I stumbled 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 handful of people to complete the more than 700-mile trek solo, slogging more than 18 miles a day across the Earth’s most unforgiving terrain, climbing from sea level to nearly 10,000 feet.
He arrived at Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station at 4:10 p.m. EST yesterday 97 years and one week after polar explorer Roald Amundsen first claimed the achievement.
While I don’t have much of a desire to make such a trip I’m amazed at those who can brave these conditions and make the trek. I hope he set the land speed record I guess it will be a few days before we know if he succeeded in breaking the speed record.
On Nov. 12, Carmichael pushed off from Hercules Inlet at 80 degrees south latitude, the usual starting point for such Antarctic expeditions. Carmichael is challenging the record of 39 days, 9 hours and 33 minutes set by Hannah McKeand of Britain in 2006. Yesterday, Carmichael’s support team was unsure of his start time; he appeared to have finished within an hour of McKeand’s time.
Moose Droppings is a place that chronicles my journey, I’ll explore new places and ideas I’ll learn new things and I’ll teach the things I’ve learned to others. Join me on the adventure and hopefully it will help you in your outdoor endeavors.
