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Ian’s final week on the ice brought the expedition to its conclusion, as he crossed the Antarctic Plateau, passed 89° South, and completed the last push to the South Pole in extreme cold and challenging snow conditions.
The week began with poor visibility and ongoing equipment issues. White-out conditions and flat light slowed progress, while loose binding screws required constant checks and evening repairs to keep everything functioning. Despite these setbacks, Ian continued to move steadily, adapting his routine and conserving energy where possible.
Clearer weather returned briefly, bringing calm skies but much colder temperatures, dropping to around –32°C. Ian introduced a more structured skiing pattern, breaking the day into timed blocks, and covered strong daily distances of more than 26 km. Sleep remained disrupted by a leaking air bed, adding to the cumulative fatigue of the journey.
Midweek marked a major milestone when Ian reached 89° South, placing him on the final straight line towards the Pole. Although the weather was clear, soft and dense snow, freezing goggles, and exhaustion made progress hard-earned. He pushed on regardless, maintaining momentum through the most demanding stretch of the route.
A strong push followed after a good night’s sleep, with Ian covering 30 km in a single day. Soft, crusty snow and extreme cold continued to slow progress, but by the end of the week only a short distance remained.
On Christmas Day, Ian arrived at the South Pole, completing his solo ski journey across Antarctica! After weeks alone on the ice, the expedition concluded at the Amundsen–Scott South Pole Station, bringing the journey to a close on Christmas Day.
You can continue to support Ian’s fundraising for the Always a Rifleman Programme through Givewheel here:
https://www.givewheel.com/fundraising/9029/antarctic-rifleman/
Raising £100,000 for veterans’ mental health through expeditions to the world’s highest peaks and most remote poles.
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