Photo Source: https://www.tv2.no/nyheter/innenriks/karen-21-har-nadd-sydpolen-fytti-sa-deilig/17355173/
As the rest of us were just getting started on our new year’s resolutions, on January 25, a young Norwegian was already checking a major one off her list. Karen Kyllesø set a new record as the youngest solo skier of all time to reach the South Pole.
The adventurer logged 702 miles (1130 km) in just 54 days, despite contracting cold-induced asthma along the way.
Calls of congratulations flooded in, including one from legendary polar explorer Liv Arnesen, who became the first woman to ski solo to the South Pole, 31 years ago. Prime minister Jonas Gahr Støre told VG that Kyllesø is writing history, following in the tracks of the biggest polar explorers. He called her accomplishment “a national feat.”
Kyllesø didn’t have resupply bags dropped along the route, but opted instead to pull a pulk– a sled that she designed for low-friction winter trekking. That means she carried every meal, all of her clothing as well as her tent and cooking gear for up to 60 days on the polar ice.
Along the way, Kyllesø wrote about the ups and downs of her adventure on social media, posting her coordinates and sending quick voice messages. Once she’d fulfilled her goal, Kyllesø said she was ready to go home, and will eventually publish a book about this experience.
But the polar ice cap has a hefty pull for others as well. A new record attempt is seemingly always in the works. Other women will soon be making new treks, such as 41-year-old Hege Victoria Dybdalsbakk, who will attempt to reach the pole in just 30 days.
Sources:
Historic feat
https://www.nrk.no/rogaland/karen-kylleso-er-tidenes-yngste-som-har-gatt-til-sydpolen-1.17202756
https://www.vg.no/nyheter/i/QMq1pR/norske-karen-kyllesoe-21-er-tidenes-yngste-polfarer-til-sydpolen
https://www.vg.no/nyheter/i/QMq1pR/norske-karen-kyllesoe-21-er-tidenes-yngste-polfarer-til-sydpolen