For more than a century after men first arrived, there was no female presence in Antarctica, let alone women making solo expeditions. It was in 1935 that the first woman, Caroline Mikkelsen, set foot on the continent, followed much later by pioneers like Liv Arnesen, who in 1994 became the first woman to complete a solo trek to the South Pole.
I am incredibly proud to follow in their footsteps, but with a goal to pave a new path for others. My journey was always about so much more than me, it was about showing that we are all capable of far more than we think. I hope my expeditions inspire others to believe in themselves and push their own boundaries.
2021 Expedition: The First Journey
I set off on my first solo expedition on 7 November 2021, departing from Antarctica’s Hercules Inlet. The journey to the South Pole was 700 miles, pulling a sled weighing 200 pounds, carrying 48 days’ worth of food and supplies. I completed my journey in 40 days, 7 hours and 3 minutes, making me the third fastest solo woman to reach the South Pole unassisted. Most importantly, this journey made me the first woman of colour to reach the South Pole solo and unsupported. This was the first step into a world that would change my life forever.
2022/23 Expedition: The Longest Journey
In November 2022, I set off on my second solo expedition with the aim of becoming the first woman to cross Antarctica solo and unsupported. I travelled 922 miles, and while I fell about 100 nautical miles short of my goal, I was able to break two Guinness World Records: for the longest solo unsupported one-way polar ski journey by a woman and also the longest solo unsupported one-way polar ski journey overall. The lessons I learned from not making the full crossing helped me achieve my next goal.
2023 Expedition: The Speed Record
I set off on 26 November 2023 to ski solo and unsupported to the South Pole. On 28 December 2023, I reached the South Pole in 31 days, 13 hours and 19 minutes, becoming the fastest solo woman to complete this route. When I was interviewed on Channel 4 News, I said I thought I was a day behind the previous fastest time, but it turned out I was more than a day ahead of the record. This also earned me a Guinness World Record for the fastest solo unsupported female expedition to the South Pole.
What’s next?
For many, a journey to the North Pole is the stuff of dreams. For me, it’s a testament to the power of pushing boundaries and smashing ceilings. I’m setting out to become the first woman to travel solo and unsupported to the North Pole, starting from Canada.
This isn’t a simple trek. It’s a journey of less than 500 miles across a constantly moving landscape of sea ice. I’ll face sections of open water, brutal stretches of rough ice, and temperatures as low as -50°C.
Honours & Accolades
My expeditions have always been about more than just the physical challenge; they are about inspiring a new generation to believe in themselves. I am incredibly humbled and proud to have received recognition for this mission, which is a testament to the power of pushing boundaries and the support I have received every step of the way.
