Follow UK Investment Immigration and Life in the UK: A 19-year-old graduate of Eton College in the United Kingdom has recently set the record for the fastest ski journey from the Antarctic coast to the South Pole.
The student, Parker Liautaud, set off from the Ross Ice Shelf in northwestern Antarctica and reached the South Pole in 18 days. The previous record was held by Norwegian explorer Christian Eide, who completed the journey in 24 days.
Liautaud and a companion skied through extreme cold of dozens of degrees below zero, pulling sleds loaded with over 80 kilograms of equipment. They skied for up to 12 hours a day, covering an average of 28 kilometers daily. A vehicle followed them to film and document their journey. Aside from communication, no outside assistance was permitted.
During the journey, they collected snow samples to study the impact of climate change on Antarctica. Liautaud, who is dedicated to promoting environmental protection, has previously been on three expeditions to the Arctic. He was only 15 years old during his first trip.
