Youngmi Kim’s supported island crossing is nearing its finish. Skiers on the Hercules Inlet, Berkner Island, and Messner Start routes all reached the South Pole earlier this week, with one exception.
Crossing
South Korean Youngmi Kim’s solo, supported inland crossing is nearly at an end. Seventy days in, she’s skied 1,684km of her route’s proposed 1,700km. She’ll likely reach her finish at the base of the Leverett Glacier tomorrow.
Kim’s been enjoying the change of scenery since resupplying at the Pole and reaching the glacier.
“The scenery of Leverett Glacier is so nice and beautiful that my eyes keep wandering around. It’s a shame I have to hurry,” she said in an update, likely referencing her dwindling supplies.
Youngmi Kim’s tracker. Photo: Screenshot
Hercules Inlet to the South Pole
Indian skier Satish Gogineni finished up his polar journey in 51 days, averaging 22km per day. The skier put in consistent work on the solo, unsupported journey along the 1,130km Hercules Inlet route. Gogineni had a mostly uneventful trek, with no injuries or equipment failures to speak of.
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Danish skier Rasmus Kragh’s strong 30km efforts over the last few weeks have caught up with him. Earlier this week, Kragh reported swelling and discoloration in his legs, the result of his body breaking down his muscles for energy. Calorie management has been an ongoing issue for Kragh during the final half of his polar push. On day 52, he decided to detour to a buried food cache, ending the “unsupported” part of his solo trek.
“It’s not about my ego,” the Dane said in an update. With food no longer an issue, he’s taking it easier and is around 100km from the finish.
Catherine Buford of the UK reached the South Pole on day 53, putting in a solid 33km day to shuffle in at 8:30 pm. Between sips of champagne, Buford referenced Liv Arnesen, the first woman to ski solo and unsupported to the South Pole.
Buford averaged slightly over 21km per day.
Buford’s tracking map. Photo: Screenshot
Norwegian Karen Kylleso also finished this week, logging just under 21km per day in 54 days.
“Now, I will spend a little time recuperating,” said the 21-year-old Norwegian. Her journey has been mostly problem-free, as her brief but cheerful updates constantly indicated.
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Messner Start to South Pole
Ali Riza Bilal of Turkey skied 911km from the Messner Start to the Pole in 51 days. He suffered equipment failures of all types and had to accept a resupply after a broken ski binding.
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Berkner Island to South Pole
Frederick Fennessy’s 1,400km expedition from Berkner Island to the Pole concluded on January 9 after 56 days. Fennessy logged 25km days on average, powering through an “incredibly cold and tough” final few days. Fennessy says the accomplishment completes “something I’ve been working toward for over half a decade.”
Photo: Frederick Fennessy
