Børge Ousland

We are in our camp again, right on top of the South Pole, after nine and a half hours skiing. It was a more normal day, slightly shorter and slower, but be did the final leg of 26 km. It’s been a gorgeous day with excellent weather, skiing at a relaxed pace with music in my ear. I’ve had a great time, and I’m sure we all have.

Since we were on the South Pole with Prince Albert less than a week ago, there wasn’t the same sense of drama arriving this second time. It has, however, been a great journey – especially for the two youngsters. They have really pushed and have performed really well! Their learning curve has been exceptionally steep. But even though they have never spent a winter night in a tent, and never worn cross-country skis, they have showed exceptional endurance. Mind you, that is not because I have pushed them in any way; this came from themselves, from an inner strength they both exhibited.

Clemènce and Nicholas have risen to the challenge. At a deep level they now understand the resolve and stamina they can mobilise should they ever need it again. That really is the key point to this expedition, as well as with Mike Horn’s programme: to convey wisdom and experience, and give Pangaea participants the opportunity to experience something entirely new.

Once again we are camped at the globe’s southernmost point. We are hoping to be flown to Patriot Hills tomorrow (ed: Tuesday).

If you happen to receive Norwegian television stations, I might mention that a film about the expedition “In the Footsteps of Nansen” is being shown on NRK1 at 19.30. Part 2 is next Tuesday at the same time.

We are once again in our tents after a ten-hour workout. Tonight’s position is 26 km closer to our goal. We slept just a little bit longer today, because everyone was really tired – but when we get up tomorrow, we only have 24 km to go.

Tomorrow we will walk the last leg together with Mike, moving at a somewhat more relaxed pace. I mentioned that he is pulling a far heavier pulk than we are. If all goes well, our next report will be from the South Pole.

Yes! We managed to progress another 27.4 kilometres today. That is not bad, even though the struggle became more visible toward the end of the day. We are halfway and on schedule. It’s incredible if we manage to make it in four days. As far as I know, that will be a new record for “the last degree”.

We are enduring, pushing on, and will do our utmost to reach the South Pole the day after tomorrow. I am very impressed by how well these two youngsters are managing. They are, of course, in excellent shape; but there are two additional factors that make our fast pace possible. First of all, we are well acclimatised to the altitude. Second, the equipment is working out really well.

Believe it or not, this is the first time Nicholas and Clèmence have cross-country skis on their feet! That experience or lack of it clearly counts less than one might expect. Far more important is for the expedition participant to be in good shape, have stamina, and have a can-do attitude that lasts all day. I mentioned acclimatisation and equipment. The last factor is incredibly important. In my opinion the equipment we have along for this journey, which comes from truly excellent producers, is the best that I have ever … (satellite connection fades)

We are relaxing in our tents after a long, hard day. Rather than the beautiful weather we had yesterday, we fought our way forward against typical Antarctic weather: southeasterly wind and drifting snow. It has been cold and miserable – but we have progressed 28 km. This exceeds our goal for the day, which was 25.

These youngsters may be exhausted, but our tempo proves they’re obviously in better shape than I expected! Nicholas went out like a light once he crawled into his sleeping bag. We shall get a good night’s sleep and be ready for the second leg tomorrow. If all goes well, we shall reach the South Pole in the course of four days.

We are travelling with Mike, but ahead of him since we are moving faster. He reached camp a bit later in the evening. Mike is pulling a far heavier pulk, packed with lots more equipment; he plans to use kite and ski-sail on his back to Patriot Hills. We are travelling with quite light pulks, since our expedition ends at the South Pole.

Let me give you an update. We stayed two days at the South Pole, stuck because of poor weather further north preventing pilots from flying south to pick us up. But three o’clock local time today, our flight came, returning us to 89 degrees latitude.

We landed safely. Now we are relaxing in our tent, the position of our cam being S 89˚03’, E 82˚22’. Since we have had time to acclimatise ourselves to the altitude, which is almost 3000 metres, and my young expedition colleagues appear in good form, we have decided to attempt the “last degree” in just four days. That amounts to 25 kilometres per day. Tomorrow we shall aim for a good ten-hour day and see how it goes.

The weather has been beautiful today! For the first time since we arrived on Antarctica, there is no wind. In fact, we have been walking about in our shirtsleeves, in a comfortable twenty-odd below centigrade. It really is great to ski here when the wind abates; usually the wind is incessant, and at times merciless up here on the Antarctic Plateau.

All is well. Tomorrow we shall try to put some distance behind us.

From left: Mike Horn, Clemènce, Prince Albert, Nicholas and Børge Ousland.

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Monday evening at 21.00 Monaco Time (and Norwegian Time), Prince Albert of Monaco and Børge Ousland arrived at the globe’s southernmost point. During the day, wearing facial masks to protect against temperatures that dropped to –30˚C, they pulled pulks filled with gear; during two nights they camped in tents. Impressions include hearty oatmeal breakfasts, spectacular sunlight phenomena seen nowhere else in the world, and vast stretches of snow and ice on the Antarctic Plateau. The trip was successful, and the men on the team satisfied – but not all went according to plan.
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On 8 January, Prince Albert and Børge Ousland flew from Punta Arenas, Chile, and arrived at Patriot Hills, an Antarctic base situated at 80˚18’S, 81˚21’W. Here they spent a couple of days testing their skis and other equipment, before flying further south to meet up with Mike Horn, an explorer who in 2006 completed the first successful winter expedition to the North Pole with Børge. Now they had royal company on a new expedition.

“It was joy to meet up with Mike Horn again. He had already spent 48 days on a solo expedition to the South Pole – and we were joining him for the last leg. Before starting out, we had a great reunion dinner, featuring Swiss fondue,” Børge Ousland tells us, giving his report by satellite phone.

On 11 January our eight-man team started out, heading due south, with each expedition member pulling a pulk while skiing. The thermometer showed thirty below, and the air was thin. The Antarctic Plateau lies at almost 3000 metres above sea level.

“It was a raw and chilling experience in exotic surroundings, probably far removed from anything Prince Albert had experienced earlier.”

“The Prince was delighted at the Antarctic landscape and glowed with adventure. I think it is well done of him to seek out the challenge of Antarctic explorers, feeling the trials of history’s great explorers on his own body. He proved himself a full member of our expedition team – pulling the pulk himself, and giving a hand when we pitched camp in the evening. He even seemed to savour our traditional Norwegian breakfast: a huge helping of oatmeal,” says Børge with a grin in his voice.

A tight Royal schedule
In addition to his role as guide, provider of equipment, and the man responsible for everyone’s safety, Børge Ousland had to ensure that Prince Albert reached the South Pole on time.

“The Prince is on a tight schedule, so he had to be at the South Pole by 21.00 on Tuesday, 13 January. It turned out that presented quite a challenge! We started out a bit too far north; an aeroplane flew us closer, with Mike leaving his pulk behind.

“After a hectic finish, we arrived at the South Pole with ten minutes to spare! The weather was excellent this last day, with low clouds. We also witnessed a great ring around the sun, a phenomenon only seen near the globe’s geographic poles,” explains Børge Ousland.

“Prince Albert now continues his journey, visiting the research bases on Antarctica. Mike, Clemènce, Nicholas and I are flying back to where Mike left his pulk, to complete “the last degree” on foot. We cannot have anybody saying that Mike Horn completed his expedition airborne!”

We are now camped at the South Pole after a successful day. When we arose this morning, we were 10 km from the globe’s southernmost geographic point. Today has been gorgeous! The sun and movement of low clouds has bathed this landscape of ice and snow in a beautiful changing light, captivating us all with its mood.

Prince Albert, Mike Horn, Clèmence and Nicholas had a fine adventure reaching the Pole. Now the Prince commences a round tour that takes him to all the research facilities on Antarctica. He has already left the pole.

I am delighted that Prince Albert wished to join us for part of this expedition, and that this is how he chose to begin his Antarctic visit. I am sure the sense of adventure here feels just as strong as when the first explorers came here, more than a hundred years ago. Prince Albert has expressed a keener understanding of this after this expedition. En route he has risen to the challenge, and always proved helpful and cheerful. He just happens to be a very nice and pleasant guy!

Everything went well. We are now relaxing in our tents on the South Pole itself. Tomorrow we shall return by air to the “last degree” point, to undertake this expedition together with Clèmence and Nicholas. This is a journey that is expected to take approximately one week.

Mike and I are sharing a tent for the first time since our 2006 winter expedition to the North Pole. It’s great to lie here, talking about everything and nothing in particular.

Background
About a year ago, I received the assignment of guiding Prince Albert of Monaco to the South Pole. In addition I have worked closely with Mike Horn on his Pangaea Project. I have brought to fine young participants with me so they can join him for part of it; we met up with him a couple of days ago. Mike is here primarily on an extended solo expedition.

My primary task is to serve as guide for Prince Albert, providing the planning, equipment and logistics for him and his three companions. As mentioned, Clèmence and Nicholas are here to participate in Project Pangaea. They are two of twelve participants selected from several hundred applicants. The project lasts several years.

Those selected have undertaken intense training outside Geneva and at a number of other sites in Switzerland, including high up in the Alps. Some will sail, others hike vast distances on foot or ski, which is what these two are doing. Clèmence is 20 years old and French, while Nicholas is 18 and comes from Chile.

I find it very satisfying to have them along, and they have clearly risen to the challenge. An expedition like this is a very new experience for them, yet they come prepared.

The three of us came by air to Punta Arenas, Chile. Here we met Prince Albert and his three companions, really enjoying our time together in what is called the southernmost city in the world. On 8 January we all flew to Patriot Hills, a camp that is a much-used point of entry for Antarctica.

Testing our equipment – and ourselves
This flight took all night. We spent the day of our arrival, 9 January, skiing, testing equipment, making final adjustments, practicing pitching tents and the like. It is vital to make sure that you have full control before confronting the Antarctic Plateau – where winds can be fierce and the cold merciless.

On 10 January, the young Frenchman, Chilean and I flew south to meet Mike Horn. He had been on his own for 40 days, skiing from Hercules Inlet with his sight set on the Pole. It was a great reunion! My old tent buddy and I had a great talk that evening.

The following day, 11 January, the four of us skied, putting 16 km behind us. That is excellent on the first day! Bear in mind that we suddenly find ourselves at almost 3000 metres altitude; the two first-timers did well. Such an abrupt transition is taxing, and we were exhausted at day’s end – exhausted but satisfied.

“The Boss” arrives
As we were pitching came, Prince Albert arrived as planned, flying in from Patriot Hills. His group had brought a larger tent, and inside we prepared a delicious Swiss fondue! This is a dish that Mike and I were served at Ice Station Barneo, after completing our winter expedition to the North Pole – so it triggered many fond memories. I suppose that explains our choice of menu; this was kind of a reunion party.

Yesterday, which was 12 January, the enlarged group spent the entire day out on the ice, pressing south. Prince Albert and everyone else had a wonderful time, and the weather was excellent; granted that the thermometer showed –28˚C, but there was little wind to bother us. We had an opportunity to experience Antarctica at its very best. Prince Albert enjoyed the beautiful, exotic surrounding – it was great to see how he savoured the moment, clearly realizing what this was all about.

Since we started at 88˚50’S, we could not possibly reach the South Pole in a day. And since Prince Albert has a comprehensive programme and is on a tight schedule, we flew closer to our goal. Last night we slept in our tents, and we have just finished our breakfast of oatmeal porridge. Today’s objective is to reach the South Pole itself. There Prince Albert will leave us, journeying on to visit each of the research stations on the Antarctic continent. Mike and I, on the other hand, will return by air with Clèmence and Nicolas to a position near 88 degrees latitude, accompanying mike on this leg of his Antarctic journey – and undertaking our own “Last Degree” expedition.

Prince Albert is here because he is very concerned with what is happening in the world, and in particular how the climate changes are impacting on the Arctic and Antarctic. He has previously journeyed to the North Pole. Monaco just signed the Antarctic Treaty; Prince Albert is the kind of person who insists on seeing things himself, experiencing this continent first hand. However, he was not satisfied to just shuffle from base to base by aeroplane; he wanted to get a taste of what the explorers of yesteryear experienced. This was, of course, a mini-expedition, but it followed the route of so many others that have gone before.

We are about to start our day. In just two hours I expect we shall be trudging on, striving for the South Pole. It will be a fine adventure for all of us to accompany Prince Albert on this expedition.