The Overland Trek

The main body of the expedition team will be fly to Punta Arenas in early October/November 2014. From the tip of South America, the team will be flown to Union Glacier on the Antarctic Peninsula, from here they will be taken to their start point at Birkner Island on the Weddell Sea coast.

The overland route selected includes crossing the Filchner Ice Shelf, climbing up through a range of mountains leading towards the polar plateau. On arrival at the geographic South Pole, a pre-arranged aircraft rendezvous will replenish fuel and provisions. Once fully replenished the Trans-Continental Party will continue North towards the head of the Beardmore Glacier. After descending the glacier, the Trans-Continental Team will carry on forward over the Ross Ice Shelf toward the coast. In the second half of the journey the team will be using kiting equipment to aid them and cover the distance in the short window of time that they have available.

The route will follow the footsteps of Shackleton in his previous attempt to plant a British flag at the South Pole (British Antarctic Expedition 1907-09).

It is expected that the journey will take approximately 85-100 days and will require man-hauling pulks weighing over 150 kgs each. All team members will ski and kite-ski across the continent but, the intention is to use the latest in modern polar survival equipment, food and travel techniques.

The Route