Story of Felicity Aston Solo Crossing Antarctica
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dailies
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Felicity Aston's remarkable 2012 expedition made her the first woman to ski alone across Antarctica, a grueling 1,744-kilometer journey that took 59 days to complete.
Felicity Aston's Journey
thestar.com
Aston began her expedition from the Ross Ice Shelf, pulling two sledges weighing a total of 85 kg with supplies.
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Her route traversed the Trans-Antarctic Mountains via the Leverett Glacier to the Polar Plateau, making her the first to ski to the South Pole along this path.1
After the Pole, she continued past the Thiel and Ellsworth Mountains, ultimately reaching Hercules Inlet on the Ronne Ice Shelf.1
Two pre-dropped resupplies, at the South Pole and 500 km further north, aided her journey.1
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2 sources
Trans-Antarctic Route and Resupplies
felicityaston.co.uk
Aston's 1,744-km route began at the Ross Ice Shelf coast, traversing the Trans-Antarctic Mountains through the Leverett Glacier onto the elevated Polar Plateau.
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En route to the South Pole, she was the first to ski this path.1
Beyond the Pole, she passed the Thiel and Ellsworth ranges before reaching Hercules Inlet on the Ronne Ice Shelf.1
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Two crucial resupply drops, pre-arranged by air at the South Pole and 500 km further north, sustained her 59-day journey.1
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3 sources
Isolation and Environmental Challenges
cnn.com
Aston faced profound isolation and harsh conditions during her Antarctic crossing, leading to hallucinations of "small, bald men riding dinosaurs" as her brain craved stimulation.
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The initial moments after being left alone were the most frightening, feeling the full weight of her aloneness and responsibility.2
Despite this, her curiosity about the unknown drove her forward.2
2 sources
Motivation for Extreme Exploration
1stwomenuk.co.uk
Aston's drive to explore stems from an insatiable curiosity about the unknown, fueled by studying maps and wondering "What does it look like there? Has anyone been there?... How would it feel to be there?"
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This innate sense of adventure propelled her to Antarctica, a place she was drawn to from a young age, equating its snowy landscapes with excitement.1
Despite the immense challenges, Aston found the polar environment irresistible, admitting "there's something about the polar environment that keeps pulling me back."1
Her expeditions allowed her to push boundaries and experience the thrill of venturing into uncharted territory, driven by an urge to find answers through first-hand exploration.1
1 source
Related
what drives someone to push their limits in extreme exploration
how does the feeling of being on the edge of the unknown motivate explorers
what role does curiosity play in the decision to embark on extreme expeditions
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