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Briton to walk solo to South Pole | Briton to walk solo to South Pole |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A former city banker is hoping to become the first person to walk solo from the Antarctic coast to the South Pole and back again. | A former city banker is hoping to become the first person to walk solo from the Antarctic coast to the South Pole and back again. |
John Wilton-Davies, from Clyst Honiton, Devon, plans to tackle the 1,400 mile journey while pulling all his supplies on a sledge. | |
The 46-year-old will have a window of just 77 days to complete the challenge and will have to walk 14 hours a day. | The 46-year-old will have a window of just 77 days to complete the challenge and will have to walk 14 hours a day. |
The record attempt is planned for November this year. | The record attempt is planned for November this year. |
This is the second time Mr Wilton-Davies has tried to walk unaided to the South Pole. | This is the second time Mr Wilton-Davies has tried to walk unaided to the South Pole. |
His first expedition, in 2006, had to be aborted. | His first expedition, in 2006, had to be aborted. |
The real danger is crevasses... if you fall down a crevasse you're in big trouble John Wilton-Davies | The real danger is crevasses... if you fall down a crevasse you're in big trouble John Wilton-Davies |
"I learned a lot on my first experience. I came back swearing that I would never do anything like that again, but then I thought I had a bit more left in me and that there's a challenge to be done," the adventurer said. | "I learned a lot on my first experience. I came back swearing that I would never do anything like that again, but then I thought I had a bit more left in me and that there's a challenge to be done," the adventurer said. |
Mr Wilton-Davies will face temperatures of -25C (-13F) on his walk, but said it is not the threat of frostbite that worries him. | Mr Wilton-Davies will face temperatures of -25C (-13F) on his walk, but said it is not the threat of frostbite that worries him. |
"The real danger is crevasses. If you fall down a crevasse you're in big trouble really... my wife isn't too keen on the whole adventure." | "The real danger is crevasses. If you fall down a crevasse you're in big trouble really... my wife isn't too keen on the whole adventure." |
Only two groups of people have ever successfully made it to the South Pole and back. The first was led by Roald Amundsen in 1911. | Only two groups of people have ever successfully made it to the South Pole and back. The first was led by Roald Amundsen in 1911. |
In 2005 a team of four completed the journey using skis and surf-kites. | In 2005 a team of four completed the journey using skis and surf-kites. |
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