South Pole Solo: Week 5

Ian’s fifth week on the ice has been dominated by sastrugi, soft snow, and growing fatigue as he continued his steady push south.

While progress remained consistent, every kilometre required sustained effort through difficult terrain and long days on the skis.

The week began with challenging conditions. Despite waking early on Day 28 with plans for a big push, Ian spent the entire day battling white-out, flat light, and heavy sastrugi. Frequent falls made travel exhausting, but careful navigation through a dune system allowed him to complete 25.5 km, a result he was pleased with given the conditions.

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Strong winds returned on Day 29, slowing progress through sastrugi and soft snow. Navigation adjustments were needed to avoid larger dunes, and although the terrain remained demanding, Ian completed 25 km after ten hours of hard man-hauling. He carried out further ski repairs that evening as ongoing equipment wear continued to surface.

By Day 30, the landscape became a mix of hills and sastrugi. Weather conditions were more favourable, and Ian noted that he now had less than 300 km remaining to the South Pole. However, cloudy forecasts and flat light continued to threaten slower progress in the days ahead.

Sleep remained inconsistent as the week went on. Day 31 was spent almost entirely crossing sastrugi, with repeated falls in flat light and increasing cold. Ian reported that the terrain may signal his approach to the Antarctic Plateau, although conditions remained difficult.

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Day 32 brought some improvement in visibility, but strong winds and large sastrugi persisted. Despite feeling tired from the outset, Ian still managed just over 25 km. The following day introduced further complications when a binding mechanism failed early on Day 33. After changing bindings, he continued across soft snow and sastrugi, finishing the day with 24.5 km. Damage to his main solar panel later forced him onto his backup system, limiting communications.

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By Day 34, Ian deliberately slowed his pace to manage fatigue and conserve energy. Although still moving through soft snow, the sastrugi appeared smaller, and the day passed without further equipment failures. He ended the week hopeful of reaching firmer ice and the plateau soon.

Ian continues to send regular updates sharing distances, conditions, and how he is coping day by day. You can support his fundraising for the Always a Rifleman Programme through Givewheel here:
https://www.givewheel.com/fundraising/9029/antarctic-rifleman/

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