First unsupported solo crossing of Antarctica

First unsupported solo crossing of Antarctica
Who
Børge Ousland
What
first first
Where
Antarctica ()
When

On 17 January 1997, Børge Ousland (Norway) completed a 2,999‑km (1,864‑mi) kite-ski trek from Berkner Island in the Weddell Sea to McMurdo Sound. Ousland crossed both of the Ronne and Ross ice shelves, spending 63 days negotiating his 185-kg (408‑lb) sled over glaciers and through sastrugi (ridges of hard snow) to achieve the first unsupported solo crossing of Antarctica.


Ousland also holds the record for the fastest unsupported journey to the South Pole, taking just 34 days.

This record was confirmed by the Polar Expeditions Classification Scheme (PECS).