Adventurer Todd Carmichael completes 700-mile trek from Antarctica to the South Pole unassisted

// added December 28, 2008 // 9 comments //
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Like "fighting your way through a junkyard that is 20 miles long . . . blindfolded" is how 44-year-old eco-adventurer Todd Carmichael describes his recent trek from Antarctica to the South Pole. The temperature was a mere 35 degrees below zero and white outs were common.

Todd Carmichael of Philadelphia, Pa., is the first American to complete the 700 mile trek from Antarctica to the South Pole unassisted. Carmichael arrived at Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station at 4:10 p.m. on December 21, exactly 97 years and one week after the first polar explorer Roald Amundsen first achieved the frosty feat.

Even more impressive is that while Amundsen was joined by a team and sled dogs, Carmichael accomplished the challenging trek all by his lonesome. He brought along only the bare essentials (i.e. his tent, satellite phone, and food). After Carmichael waved goodbye to his pilot he wouldn't see another face for nearly two months.

In 2004 Carmichael, owner of La Colombe coffee, did a 100 mile test trek and last year he was forced to abandon the expedition when ruthless conditions prevented him from continuing. But this time he was able to successfully endure temperatures of 35 degrees below zero and constant white out conditions.

His accomplishment is unsurpassed by any American. Only four other individuals have completed the trek by themselves.

Carmichael is also an eco writer for Desmogblog.com and Huffington Post for which he writes about preserving the unforgiving lands that he holds so dear and global warming. He also diaries his adventures on his blog SubZeroSolo.com.
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9 comments // Adventurer Todd Carmichael completes 700-mile trek from Antarctica to the South Pole unassisted

  • arcticspirit
  • ddelazan
    • 0
      ddelazan  

    • "fighting your way through a junkyard that is 20 miles long . . . blindfolded"

      Not only is he physically strong, I think he is able to put words together well too.

    • 1 year ago
  • aburk72
    • 0
      aburk72  

    • I understand the old human tendency to applause new and daring feats, but really what does this accomplish? Perhaps it turns the spotlight on Mr. Carmichael for a brief moment and he can use to it to discuss things relevant to saving the world.

      I am tired of praising people for such feats as the above, while millions endure "white-outs" in their everyday lives. Unsure when relief may come to them as they face starvation or other grueling physical circumstances without choice, and yet find ways to smile, cultivate their characters and improve their communities. More of those stories please, less about rich folk using the luxury their life affords to do things such as this.

      To use up so much attention on what is mostly a feat of vanity, while many serious issues need attention and sincere effort, makes this, well as another commenter wrote "I'm lost for words."

    • 1 year ago
  • mojojuju
  • bedeboop
    • 0
      bedeboop  

    • I don't like it either, one teeny bit. Big baby I am. I would rather be nice and warm. I LOVE spring. LOVE IT LOVE IT! :)

    • 1 year ago
  • Jeffnfun631
    • 0
      Jeffnfun631  

    • I myself couldnt stand conditions like that. im from Brooklyn NY and have experienced plenty of Zero days and brrrr 35 below way to cold for me

    • 1 year ago
  • bedeboop
    • 0
      bedeboop  

    • 35 below??? Sheesh I may as well move there,been almost that cold here the past couple of weeks. :( 21 below, miserable weather it is too, especially with the white-outs.

    • 1 year ago
  • pokesmot
  • kennymotown
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