Team members ski-kiting on the final day of the expedition. Photo: Berghaus
Climber and adventurer Leo Houlding and his team have completed their expedition across Antarctica.
Houlding, along with Jean Burgun and Mark Sedon, arrived at Union Glacier on Wednesday, after travelling 1,700km (1,056 miles) across the frozen continent.
The team completed the journey in 57 days, setting up 31 camps, and on the way climbed The Spectre, one of the planet’s most remote summits, partly using a new route on the mountain’s north face.
The three men travelled by ski-kiting, pulling sleds of up to 200kg and were frequently pinned down in their camps by Antarctic storms. They spent Christmas Day thousands of miles away from friends and family.
On the final day of their expedition, the men were becalmed for three hours before the wind picked up enough to convey them over the mountains of the Horseshoe Valley.
Houlding sent his final report to outdoors brand Berghaus, which sponsored the expedition.
Expedition members at their final destination at Union Glacier: from left, Leo Houlding, Mark Sedon and Jean Burgun. Photo: Berghaus
He said: “Suddenly it was done. The toils and troubles and wonder and joy of the Spectre expedition were immediately confined to memory; 50 days self-supported in the deep field, 1,600km by kite, 100km man-hauling, and we climbed The Spectre.
“Best of all, Jean, Mark and I had a ball out there at the end of the Earth. I couldn’t imagine a better pair of partners, nor a more challenging adventure.
“It was really very tough, especially the first 20 days, but we kept enough in reserve, not only to stay safe, but to complete everything that we set out to do, and to do so smiling.
“Our huge thanks go to our sponsors and trust donors. Without their support, this adventure would never have happened.
“And thanks to everyone who has been reading our updates and following us. I hope that you enjoyed the ride and we were able to share something of this savage Antarctic wonderland.”
Leo Houlding said the team plans to produce a film of the expedition in the near future.
