Preet Chandi, a British Sikh Army officer of Indian descent who made history by trekking to the South Pole, is currently attempting a record-breaking 1,100-mile solo and unassisted trek across Antarctica. Captain Chandi, also known as “Polar Preet,” made history in January of this year when she finished her 700-mile solo, unassisted journey to the South Pole in just 40 days, five days ahead of schedule.
At the beginning of her epic journey in November, the 33-year-old will drag all of her gear and supplies behind a sledge (called a “pulk”) that weighs about 120 kg (19 stone), while enduring wind speeds of up to 60 mph and temperatures as low as -50 c. “I estimate that the trip will last about 75 days. I know I can complete 1,100 miles after having travelled 700 miles to the South Pole “British Army physical therapist Chandi said.
According to the British Army website, Chandi will initially move more slowly due to the extra weight of her pulk, a type of sledge pulled by a person and used to transport supplies and equipment. Ice screws, an ice axe, crevasse equipment, and crampons—which are only required for the final section—will all be in her pulk. Around 655 kilometres separate the South Pole from the glacier’s base. 140 km of this are on the glacier, which rises from about 763 metres to 2,931 metres.
“The weather and the terrain are unknown to me. I’ll move more slowly if it snows heavily and frequently. In order to have enough time to descend and navigate the glacier, I must reach the South Pole by a certain time “said Chandi. After Hannah McKeand of Great Britain and Johanna Davidson of Sweden, Chandi is the expedition’s third-fastest female solo skier. She is also the first person in two years to walk to the South Pole, according to the Guardian.
“The presence of such a remarkable ambassador fills the British Army with immense pride. Captain Chandi exemplifies the traits we look for in our service members: courage, dedication, and a desire to excel “said Lieutenant General Sharon Nesmith, the British Army’s deputy chief of the general staff. Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi, a British MP, tweeted, “Inspiration for all, especially young girls, to push personal limits and achieve incredible feats.” The coldest, highest, driest, and windiest continent on Earth, Antarctica is uninhabitable year round. I don’t want to just break the glass ceiling; I want to smash it into a million pieces, Chandi had written in her blog post when she first arrived at the South Pole earlier this year.
(source : IANS)
