In a rare feat of achievement,
British Sikh Army Officer Preet Chandi sailed for Chile on her journey towards the southernmost tip of the planet via the Hercules’ Inlet in Antarctica on a solo expedition to the South Pole and completes it in mere span of 40 days.
With this achievement Preeti Chandi emerges as the first woman of color to complete a solo expedition to the South Pole. She posted this in her blog Polar Preet, via a post. She took to her blog to make the announcement saying that
“she felt many emotions While setting this new record.
“South Pole was snowing, yet I made it. I have turned emotional right now. Three Years ago, I was much unaware about the polar world and it feels so surreal to finally be here. It was tough getting here and I want to thank everybody for their support,” Preet wrote in her post.
On her journey Preet carried with her a sled which weighed close to a hundred kilos, and contained fuel, medicines and food slated to last for 45 days”
She owes a debt of gratitude to her support team who helped her to be in connect with the outside world and who conducted daily check-ins and updated the world on her journey via Instagram posts. Preet battled against all odds despite her illness, isolation and extreme frigid temperatures.
She also received 24 hours of sunlight as the sun does not set in Antarctica for almost four months during the spring and summer season. The spring season starts in September and lasts till November while the summer season begins in December and ends in February.
Notably, Preet prepared for her solo expedition by undergoing crevice training in the French Alps. She also trekked across Iceland’s Langjökull Glacier. She endured 27 days on the ice cap in Greenland and dragged heavy tires on her back when she was at her home in England to prepare for her solo expedition.
Preet is doubly hopeful that her feat will inspire and set an example to more women and especially women of color to aim for such feats which challenge human endurance in testing climatic conditions in Earth’s extreme places.
News Edit: K.V.Raman
