South Pole Solo: Week 2

This week brought a mix of strong winds, equipment failures, and one much-needed period of rest, all balanced by steady progress whenever the conditions allowed.

The week began with powerful headwinds reaching around 50 km an hour, slowing Ian but not stopping him. Despite the conditions, he reported feeling good and was pleased with his overall distance so far.

As the days went on, the cold began to affect his kit. His spare compass stopped working, and his headphones repeatedly failed in the low temperatures. The wind remained relentless, and although it limited his pace to around 18 km on one of the toughest days, Ian stayed positive about his progress.

A brighter spell midweek allowed him to cover 21 km, but with another period of strong winds forecast, he made the decision to take a full rest day. He spent the day conserving fuel, staying in his sleeping bag, and relying on snacks rather than cooking. He also attempted a repair on his headphones, which unfortunately left him without them entirely.

Later in the week, the weather improved and Ian took advantage of calmer conditions. With the sun out and the wind dropped, he put in a long nine-hour ski day, covering 25 km. He ended the day well fed and in good spirits after a welcome hot meal.

Ian continues to send updates through his Garmin device, sharing his distance, conditions, and how he is coping day by day. You can support his fundraising for the Always a Rifleman Programme through Givewheel.