COAST VET’S ANTARCTICA RECORD

GOLD Coast adventurer Dr Geoff Wilson has become the first Aussie to reach Antarctica’s remote Pole of Inaccessibility.

The Currumbin vet reached the landmark – the furthest point on the Antarctic Plateau from the Southern Ocean – at the weekend.

It was the first major achievement on his epic attempt to break the record for the longest solo, unsupported crossing of Antarctica to help raise funds for breast cancer charity the McGrath Foundation.

He set off on the 5800km, three-month odyssey in early November, powered by kites and towing a 200kg sled with his supplies.

Dr Wilson notified his team via satellite phone of his milestone, confirming he arrived at the Pole of Inaccessibility on Sunday.

It was a hard slog in conditions he describes as brutal and unforgiving.

“I dropped the kite, fell to my knees and gave thanks that I’d made it,” he said.

“I would say the past 1665km was the most brutal journey I’ve undertaken to date. The cold, the isolation, the relentless sastrugi (ridges in the snow caused by winds) and continual difficult wind angles have made me earn every painstaking metre of progress. I have pushed hard with no break for 23 days. I knew for the expedition to be a success, I needed a strong first leg.”

Despite the tough conditions, Dr Wilson said 23 days was “a ridiculous time to make it to the very heart of the ice continent”.

Apart from the recordbreaking distance and being the first Australian to make it to the Pole of Inaccessibility, he is also aiming to be the first person to climb Dome Argus – the coldest place on Earth with temperatures as low as -90C.

Depending on weather conditions, he hopes to crest the 4093m ice dome via the South Pole early next month and finish his mission by the end of January.

Follow his progress at thelongestjourney.com.au.