Impossible to reach the pole this time around…
Published on 27.12.2007 - Sub-Zero Antarctic Expedition
Alone out on the ice after his companion Jason de Carteret had been forced to abandon the trek, Todd Carmichael has decided that he would not be able to reach the South Pole within the time set. He has decided to give up the attempt as well.
Covering on average 5 to 7 nautical miles per day, Todd was not making very quick progress. It was the dreadful weather that had been holding him back. In fact, since he left Hercules Inlet, he had been struggling against the elements, with virtually non-stop white-out conditions every day.
A succession of storms followed him daily, preventing the slightest glimpse of better weather to settle in over this particular area of Antarctica. Snow has also been falling endlessly, making the traps and pitfalls of the terrain impossible to see and thereby slowing Todd's progress even further.
By day 23 of his trek he was still only at 84 degrees south. A day later, Todd took the decision to give up his struggle. "Yet another storm has forced Todd to accept that conditions this year are making it impossible for him to reach the South Pole within the time set", announced his daily blog. He has called the logistics team at ALE to ask them to send a Twin Otter out to collect him.
