Antarctic Expedition on the horizon

• Polar skills training ✅
• Expedition Training ✅
• Crevasse Recognition and rescue training ✅
• Navigation Training  39-day full east to west crossing of Greenland ✅
• 2-week solo expedition, Hardangervidda, Norway ✅
• Tyre-pulling, running, strength training, mindfulness, kit routines practised ✅
• Funding secured ✅
• ……… Sign off from ALE (Antarctic Logistics and Expeditions) ✅

I am (pretty much) there with just a few weeks left before I fly to Antarctica. Phew! It’s only from looking back, that I can see just how far I have come.

When I first started writing these blogs, my focus was very much on reaching the start point and all that entailed. There were a lot of boxes still to tick, kit to buy and money to raise. It is only now, that I have the freedom to shift that focus to the ultimate challenge and the 50-day solo expedition to reach the South Pole.

Last Friday, friends, family, sponsors, and supporters gathered at the Shackleton Flagship store, London Piccadilly, for my launch event. I gave a presentation reflecting on the motivations behind this journey—how a childhood dream, the influence of an inspiring teacher, and the importance of women's visibility in the adventure world all shaped my path. I used the 30-year anniversary of Liv Arnesen becoming the first woman to ski solo and unsupported to the south pole, to spark a conversation on the impact of a lack of research on women undertaking extreme endurance challenges in polar environments, and the frustration and dangers of ill-fitting kit. A highlight was without doubt, a good luck video message to me from Liv Arnesen herself!

On November 11th, I’ll be flying from London to Santiago, Chile, and then on to Punta Arenas, where ALE has a seasonal base. I’ll spend about six days in Punta Arenas attending safety briefings, gathering final food supplies, and packing my sled. On November 18th, I’ll fly to Antarctica, landing on the stunning blue ice runway at Union Glacier. There, I’ll meet with medics and fellow expeditioners while waiting for a suitable weather window to be flown to my starting point at Hercules Inlet.

Once I leave Union Glacier, my connection to the outside world will be minimal. I'll have a daily check-in via phone with the ALE basecamp team, where I’ll share my coordinates and give a quick update on how I’m feeling. I’ll also be using an InReach device to send brief messages to just two contacts: my husband and my friend Emma, who’s not only handling my social media but also taking on the challenging task of liaising with everyone else back home!

You can track my journey in real-time through a map on my website: www.themolarexplorer.com  I’ll also be sharing short, daily voice messages directly from Antarctica! These updates will give you a genuine glimpse into the highs and lows of the expedition. Plus, you’ll be able to check in and see how I’ll be celebrating both my birthday and Christmas this year!

On Friday, I kicked off my charity fundraiser with the goal of raising as much support as possible for two amazing organizations: Bridge2Aid and Community Action Nepal. Both charities do incredible work, creating sustainable change and directly improving lives in the communities they serve. You can find out more and contribute on my Givestar fundraising page here:

https://givestar.io/gs/solo-south-pole-expedition

Please share and donate if you are able —every bit helps make a lasting impact!

I will soon be (very) happy to leave the distraction of daily life and concentrate on my new routine. I feel prepared and ready to focus on a single, clear goal; to get myself safely to the South Pole and to enjoy it as much as I can. I’ve just got to put one ski in front of the other, right?

See you in January!