Annals of Adventure–South Pole Express: Last night, British adventurer Fiona Thornewill became only the second woman to trek solo and unsupported to the South Pole. Thornewill, 37 and a fitness expert (you think?), notched the fastest time ever (for a man or woman) over the 700-mile route from Hercules Inlet, getting there in just 42 days. To do it, she hauled a 285-pound sledge through temperatures that dropped as low as -50 degrees Celsius (so, so, very cold). Her best day was 27.5 miles, which is more than most assisted trekkers notch, and helped get her to the bottom of the world faster than fellow Brit Rosie Stancer, who is also on the ice making an unassisted solo attempt. Fiona’s got the soul of a Wetass. Here’s what she had to say to Explorer’s Web when asked whether she was racing Rosie: “Finishing is succeeding – simple as that. In facing this challenge I want to encourage people everywhere not to be scared of taking bold steps and reaching for their own life goals. As I tell myself: Feel the fear and do it anyway.” So, does Fiona now get to fly out in triumph, back to the creature comforts of home? Nope. Her husband Mike had planned to rendevous with her at the South Pole, after leading a small expedition called “Solo Together” over the last 3 degrees. But Fiona got to the Pole so fast, she now has to camp and wait up to TWO weeks for her spouse to arrive. Luckily, she’ll set up near the American polar base, so perhaps a hot shower and a steak will be in order….



“Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway” Fiona: “I’m here. Now what?”