South Pole Last Degree
The Antarctic plateau can be summed up in three words: Cold, wind and snow. But don’t mistake the simplicity of the environment for an easy expedition. This journey is anything but easy. The snow can feel more like sand which makes the pulling hard, and the cold seems to find its way into every layer if you're not constantly on the move. But when the sun is shining and the wind is low the beauty is off the charts. If you're looking to be challenged and if you want to experience the heart of Antarctica this is the expedition for you. We will begin this classic South Pole Ski Expedition at 89ºS; that's 60 nautical miles, or 111 km, from the South Pole. Over the next 8-10 days we will pull our sleds, which weight around 40 kg, over the gently rolling hills of Antarctica's polar plateau. We'll ski to the South Pole in 5-8 one hour "marches" every day, with short breaks in between for rehydrating and snacking on high calorie food. At night we'll rest in the comfort of our expedition tents which can get surprisingly warm with Antarctica's intense solar radiation. Be prepared for long days with constant attention and effort to stay warm, but not too warm, as you traverse the Last Degree. If you find joy in hard work, determination, adventure and reaching a goal with a team you will love this expedition.
Dates & Rates
2025 Tentative Dates:
January 1- January 16, 2025
2025 Price:
Contact us for pricing
Participants receive a discount on our 6-day Polar Shakedown Training. Click here for more details.
Inclusions:
Includes all accommodations and meals while in Antarctica, guide(s), permits, communication & safety gear.
Itinerary
DAY 1
Arrive in Punta Arenas, Chile. Transfer to your hotel. Unpack and relax before welcome reception.
DAY 2
We'll spend the day in Punta Arenas readying our kits and preparing for the flight to Antarctica.
DAY 3
Weather permitting, we'll board a charter flight to Antarctica and the Union Glacier basecamp. Tour of Union Glacier basecamp, and time to set up camp
DAY 4
A day in Union Glacier basecamp acclimatizing and getting ready for the expedition.
DAY 5
Weather permitting, we'll fly to 89 degrees South for the beginning of our expedition. If we are unable to fly we will use the time at Union Glacier basecamp to train, ready our systems and acclimatize to Antarctica. A mess tent for expeditions and beautiful surroundings make Union Glacier basecamp a comfortable place to spend time.
Qualifications
This expedition is for people who are in good shape, and who are eager to push themselves physically and mentally. Though the skiing is quite demanding, it does not require significant skill.
You will need to have very good cardiovascular endurance and the ability to pull a heavy sled (between 30-40 kilos) for several hours at a time, with only short pauses, day after day. Most importantly you need to be able to regulate your body temperature so that you do not get too cold, or too hot while you are on the move. Towards the end of the day it is critical that you have the energy reserves to set up camp and help out with the basic necessities of camp life including making water, cooking, etc.
This expedition will encounter extremely cold conditions, and living in such cold conditions 24 hours a day can be very challenging. This expedition demands that you stay well-fed and hydrated. You need to be proactive about keeping yourself healthy and free of injury. An evacuation from this expedition is very costly and logistically difficult.
You do not have to be a world class athlete to participate in and enjoy this expedition, but every ounce of training and preparation will help to make the expedition more enjoyable and safer.
Please contact us with further questions!
Equipment
Upon registration, you will receive a comprehensive gear guide that explains the importance of each item as well as gear recommendations from our past participants. Please contact us for more information about your personal gear and group gear for this expedition.
Several items on our equipment checklist are available from our store.
South Pole Last Degree Video
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