As the 2009 Antarctic season draws to a close land-based Antarctic operator, Adventure Network International (ANI), reflects on the success of their guests’ incredible South Pole accomplishments over the three months, November 2009 through to January 2010.

Seven women on the Kaspersky Commonwealth Antarctic Expedition claimed more than a handful of firsts as they arrived at South Pole on 29 December 2009 after 40 days of travel. They are the first citizens of Brunei and Cyprus and the first women from India, Singapore, and New Zealand to ski to the Pole.

On 15 January 2010, Meagan McGrath became the first Canadian to ski solo and unsupported to the South Pole, completing her trip from ANI’s base camp in 40 days. Meagan had a difficult start to her expedition, falling in a crevasse on day two. Fortunately she suffered only minor injuries and after a few days rest began again. Meagan reported from the South Pole that the mental challenges of the trip were far harder than she had expected.

Cecilie Skog and Ryan Waters completed the most challenging expedition of the season - a traverse of the continent from Berkner Island to the South Pole then on to the Ross Ice Shelf by skiing down the Axel Heiberg Glacier. Skog and Waters made steady progress throughout their ambitious expedition navigating hazards with care and competence. Temperatures plummeted as they ascended to 3200m on the Titan Dome, just beyond the South Pole. And they backtracked to safer ground when they found themselves on “The Devil’s Dance Floor”, a heavily crevassed area that also troubled Amundsen nearly 100 years ago. The team completed their trip without any re-supplies and without the aid of kites.

Two Danish adventurers, Morten Grundsoe and Jens Erik Neilsen, arrived at the South Pole on 29 December 2009 after a speedy 30 days of skiing. Their expedition from the Filchner–Ronne Ice Shelf to the South Pole aims to draw attention to the impact of climate change in polar regions.

ANI guide Eric Larsen and his two teammates, Canadian Liu Dong Sheng and Irish/Canadian William Hanlon, found humour during their 48-day Ski South Pole Expedition. In one podcast Eric explained how each time Dong Sheng went out of the tent and returned he would say, “It’s me!” as if there might be someone else dropping by in the middle of Antarctica! Eric hopes the expedition “…will tell the story of these remote places so we can better understand how our actions affect the poles and ultimately the planet”.

ANI Guide Hannah McKeand and her Canadian teammate Armold Witzig overcame blisters and binding problems to complete their Ski South Pole (Messner Start) Expedition in 39 days.

A number of Ski Last Degree groups also completed expeditions, skiing the last 60 nautical miles to the South Pole. Forty-four less hardy, but no less adventurous guests flew to the South Pole, a remarkable experience in itself. On Vinson 121 climbers scaled the highest peak in Antarctica, one of the world’s seven summits.

The fifth Antarctic Ice Marathon saw 19 competitors from 11 countries test themselves against the elements and each other on a scenic and challenging course. Richard Donovan (Ireland) won the 100km ultra-marathon event. First place in the Men’s Marathon was an exciting duel between Jason Wolfe (USA) and ANI’s ‘weatherman’ Marc de Keyser (Belgium). Wolfe pulled ahead over the last 15km to claim the title. Richelle Turner (Austalia) won the Women’s Marathon.

The Ellsworth Mountains Safari program was a real highlight of the season. Four pristine peaks were climbed during the 12-day tour of the spectacular Henderson Glacier and Horseshoe Valley areas. ANI’s guides enthuse about this program with its custom-tailored itinerary offering unparalleled climbing and skiing through untracked terrain.

Inspired by these polar achievements? For those ready to embark on an incredible journey to reach the most southerly point on earth - the Geographic South Pole - now is the time to start planning for next Antarctic season (November 2010 - January 2011).

To fly from base camp to South Pole requires no specialist training or experience whatsoever, just a good general level of fitness, whereas participation in a ski-expedition requires fitness, strength, endurance and resolve. Adventure Network International will advise each individual/team on the most appropriate training program for their ski-expedition and will support each intrepid adventurer -whether flying or skiing - as they realise their dreams.