To accomplish the gruelling challenge and withstand one of the coldest climates on earth, the team will be trekking using Shackleton’s Expedition Pulk Suit, specifically designed to protect them from the elements where temperatures can routinely reach -40°.
Communications equipment
The communications equipment is a vital part of both the progress and the safety of the expedition. GPS waypoints provide the route and the compass bearings for the team to travel on throughout the expedition. There is no mobile phone coverage or 3G, so satellite phones provide communications to check in with the support team, and as a safety measure in case of any issues. As Antarctica has 24-hour daylight during the expedition season, solar panels power all the comms kit.
Skis
Most things developed for polar expeditions are highly-specialised, designed for the extreme temperatures, and to withstand daily use for many weeks at a time. Most people use expedition grade skis; narrow with metal edges and quite different to downhill skis. The boots are soft – more like hiking boots - with a toe-bar to attach to the skis, leaving the heel free to lift. Expeditioners tend to favour Norwegian ski brands, with skis becoming lighters every year.
Tent
Another highly-specialised item. It is designed to withstand high winds in particular; katabatic winds race from the Pole and can be over 100mph in winter. The tent is a canvas construction with a small porch area at each end. Additional canvas surrounds the base of the tent, so that snow can be piles on top to secure the tent from the winds. Inside the tent, when the sun is not obstructed by cloud, it can feel quite warm. On cloudy days, temperatures are usually well below freezing inside.
Pee bottle
Something most people wonder about is how you go to the loo in Antarctica. Of course there are absolutely no facilities on expedition. If you need to pee, then you just go wherever you are (you don’t even take your skis off). If you need to poop, then you dig a hole and go as fast as possible. A slightly chilly – but hygienic – option is to use snow to wipe. Ideally you can go first thing in the morning, before you have all your layers on! In the tent at night, you do not want to be going outside if you can avoid it, so a pee bottle is an essential part of the expedition kit!
Shovels
Essential bit of kit. Not the gardening kind, but a snow shovel which can dig out snow for melting, can dig the tent into the snow for security, or to dig a good poop pit. Usually made from lightweight metal.
Wag bags
As you get within 60 nautical miles to the South Pole, you need to poop in a bag, and carry it with you. This is because there are many science experiments conducted in this area, and it must be kept pristine. It’s a tricky thing to do, especially in the intense cold and often high winds close to the Pole. You must then bring it with you to the finish, where it will be collected and eventually removed from Antarctica. It sounds gross, but of course it’s deep frozen, so not too smelly.
Food choices
Food choices are a hugely personal – even secret – thing for polar travellers. People have their favourites, even treats made at home. Usually, main meals are freeze- dried food, which is rehydrated with melted snow. Snow melting can only be done when the tent is up – not normally recommended but essential in Antarctica. That means that during the day, calorie intake is via a snack bag. This can contain anything tempting – usually chocolate, nuts, dried fruit or cheese. It all must be prepared beforehand into tiny bite-sized pieces, as everything is deep-frozen, and biting bits off could mean broken teeth.
// FOLLOW THE CHALLENGE //
A live map will be available when the expedition starts.