‘Churchill book kept me going on solo Antarctic trek’
A BRITISH Army captain has completed a solo Antarctic crossing – with the help of Boris Johnson’s Winston Churchill biography.
Louis Rudd has became only the second person in history to cross Antarctica solo and with no external help.
Capt Rudd, 49, started his trek on Nov 3 at the same time as fellow adventurer Colin O’Brady, from Portland, Oregon. The “Spirit of Endurance” expedition was a world-record attempt to be the first person to ski alone more than 1,000 miles across Antarctica.
Mr O’Brady reached the finish line 48 hours before Capt Rudd, who spent 56 days on the frozen continent before finishing at the foot of Leverett Glacier.
Capt Rudd saluted the American’s achievement in his expedition blog. “It’s always been about completing the journey,” he said. “Fantastic, well done to him. He’d pushed really hard all the way across and done extremely well, so congratulations to him.”
The veteran of multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan ascribed the self-discipline and robustness needed to haul a 310lb (140kg) sled across 932 miles of ice and snow to his 33 years in the Royal Marines and Army. “Military people have that mental robustness and can push themselves that bit further.”
He said he had kept himself going by listening to music from the Eighties and audio books about Churchill.
“I find that’s quite good actually, particularly when you’re on your own, to actually to hear a voice talking, it’s a bit of company,” he blogged from the ice.
“I listened to an audiobook – a biography of Churchill. I’ve actually got two or three audiobooks on him which I’ll be listening to throughout the journey. One of those was written by Boris Johnson.” Both Capt Rudd and Mr O’Brady completed their journeys unsupported by supply drops or specialist equipment to harness wind power, which could help pull their sleds.
Capt Rudd’s start point was Messner on the Ronne Ice Shelf, abutting the Weddell Sea. From there he crossed the continent to the South Pole, before heading on to the finish point at the Leverett Glacier on the Ross Ice Shelf.
After finishing, Capt Rudd and Mr O’Brady shared coffee, chocolate, cheese and ham that had been buried last year for another explorer who had failed to complete the challenge.
On the journey Capt Rudd, a married father of three, carried a flag with the family crest of Henry Worsley, a friend and fellow soldier, who died in 2016 attempting the same challenge. Mr Worsley had died of an illness having been rescued 30 miles from the finish line.
“Just before I departed I met Joanne
‘There’s a sense that the place can kill you … Do not ever be so arrogant to say that you can conquer Antarctica’
[Worsley] and she handed over Henry’s flag with the family crest,” he said. “She implored me, grabbed hold of me and said, ‘Please, please don’t take any unnecessary risks, I wouldn’t want your wife to go through what I’ve been through. Please don’t do anything foolish, it isn’t worth risking your life.’ That really hit home to me.”
“It was always in the back of my mind that it isn’t worth risking my life for. There were some hairy times, but nothing I ever thought was beyond my capability and control.”
Capt Rudd said there were times when he thought he might not complete the challenge. “I had some really hard days where I thought it might not be feasible to get across,” he said.
“On one day I battled for eight or nine hours and covered two nautical miles. I thought, ‘This is ridiculous’, stopped and put the tent up. I had 800 miles to go. Henry used to say, ‘Just keep putting one ski in front of the other.’ So I kept shoving one ski in front of the other. Eventually I made better progress and it was back on.”
Prior to his departure Capt Rudd said he had sought the approval and blessing from his friend’s family. “I’m carrying Henry’s flag … that he carried on all his journeys, and it’s really important to me that, this time, the flag goes all the way, and completes the journey right to the end,” he said.
“Hopefully I’ve done you and Henry proud,” he blogged to Joanna Worsley, “with what I’ve achieved and got the flag to the far side.” bourhoods will have plenty of trees for future generations to enjoy.
The Forestry Commission will also be handed more powers to tackle illegal tree felling and strengthen protection of wooded landscapes.
Mr Gove said: “It’s right that the views of local people are at the heart of any decision that affects their community – and the futures of the trees that line their streets are no different.
“These measures will enhance the protection given to urban trees, ensuring residents are properly consulted before trees are felled and safeguarding our urban environment for future generations.”
Sir William Worsley, the government’s “tree champion”, added: “Urban trees are an amazingly valuable natural resource, and with this consultation I hope we can take further steps towards strong and robust protections to ensure their futures.
Richard Greenhous, Forestry Commission Director of Forest Services, said: “With this consultation we hope to be able to better protect more of our cherished woodlands from illegal felling.”