Adaptive Antarctica is an ambitious two-part expedition taking place in November and December 2021, supported, guided and equipped by Shackleton.
Part 1 is to trek to the geographic South Pole, unsupported and unassisted. Part 2 is to climb Mount Vinson, Antarctica’s highest mountain, in an attempt to be the world's first disabled person to complete both challenges.
Both parts go towards Martin Hewitt's challenge to become the first ever disabled person to complete the Explorer's Grand Slam - an accolade given to those who have summited the world’s highest seven peaks on seven continents, as well as journeys to the North and South Pole. Adaptive Antarctica will bring Martin within one summit of achieving this world first.
Martin, formerly an officer in the British Army, was shot in Afghanistan and lost the use of his right arm. He will be guided on expedition by Louis Rudd MBE, Director of Expeditions at Shackleton and the only person to have crossed Antarctica on foot twice. The team of two will travel from Hercules Inlet on the coastline of Antarctica, to the geographic South Pole. Without resupply, they must haul all their food and equipment with them for 720 miles across the world's coldest, windiest and highest continent. The expedition is unsupported (they cannot receive help or resupply en route) and unassisted (without dogs, kites or any kind of non-human propulsion). Both explorers will be equipped with a Shackleton two-part pulk suit which has been specially developed for this mission.
Once Martin and Louis reach the Pole after around 45 days, they will fly back to Union Glacier before heading out to the base camp of Mount Vinson in late December/early January where they will start the 4,892m to the highest point on the continent.
'By Endurance we Conquer'
After months of physical and mental preparation, I feel ready to take on this challenge and can’t wait to get a step closer to completing the Adaptive Grand Slam. I hope that by succeeding in this challenge, I can show people that you can achieve anything you set your mind to if you have support, drive and determination, and that a debilitating injury should never stand in your way.
MARTIN HEWITT
// FOLLOW THE CHALLENGE //
A live map will be available when the expedition starts, currently scheduled for the 14th November.