Hannah McKeand races into world record books

by Chloe Nivelle on 30 Dec 2006 At 8.33 PM UK time yesterday (28 December 2006) 33-year old Hannah McKeand from Newbury, Berkshire, made polar history when she became the fastest person, male or female, ever to reach the Geographic South Pole solo and unsupported.

She reached the Amundsen-Scott Research Station that marks the Pole, having covered the 690-mile journey from Hercules Inlet in just 39 days, 9 hours and 33 minutes, shaving nearly two days off the current world record.

Setting out on November 19, Hannah spent nearly six weeks travelling across the Antarctic icecap alone and without any form of external assistance or support. She braved minus 35 degree temperatures, thick fog and very demanding ice rubble and sastrugi - large frozen ridges of wind blown snow and ice - some as much as three or four metres in height. Attempting to drag a 100-kg/16-stone sledge for 12 hours a day through such terrain takes immense strength and stamina, a task made all the more difficult by the zero visibility conditions.

Upon arriving at the Pole, talking via satellite phone, Hannah said, 'It’s great have finally reached my destination. It’s been an absolute privilege to be in such a pristine and unique part of the planet.

'I have kept a very tiny bundle of passport sized photos of my friends and family with me at all times, as well as my grandfather’s Royal Flying Corps wings. Both my grandfathers were real heroes - nothing comes close to the things that they saw and did in the wars.'

Two issues that make Hannah’s accomplishment all the more significant are that Hannah chose to complete this journey unsupported and by herself. Her decision to complete an unsupported expedition means that she has had to carry everything needed for the full duration of the trip. Dragging such a load uphill to the Pole, whilst negotiating the ever-changing Antarctic terrain meant that Hannah burnt as much as 6,000-8,000 calories a day.

The decision to complete the journey solo has meant that Hannah has had no team mates to provide emotional or physical support during times of hardship. The psychological enormity of such a scenario is difficult to imagine. Hannah has had Harry Potter and Stephen Fry to spur her on most of the way, as she has been listening to music and audio books on her i-Pod player but it broke down before Christmas. She resorted to singing Carols to herself for hours on end instead which she recounted on her website (www.adventurehannah.com).

Hannah started her days by eating noodles and butter for breakfast because she doesn’t like porridge. Throughout the day she snacked on pemmikan, chocolate, fudge, halva, dried fruit and nuts, salami, Kendal mint cake and pork scratchings. At night time she was having a big freeze dried meal with crackers and butter.

Having forsaken any form of Christmas celebrations in the interests of beating the record, Hannah can now afford to relax, celebrate and reflect on her achievement. A major motivation for Hannah during this trip was one of her closest friends, Jill Fraser, the Artistic and Executive Director of the Watermill Theatre in Newbury, who died earlier this year of breast cancer. As well as embarking on this expedition as a homage to her dear friend, Hannah also aims to raise money and awareness for Breakthrough Breast Cancer.

Commenting on Hannah’s achievement, Chris Askew, Director of Fundraising at Breakthrough Breast Cancer, said: 'Breakthrough is immensely grateful to Hannah for braving the cold, hazardous and icy conditions of the South Pole for Breakthrough Breast Cancer; it's a truly phenomenal achievement. The funds Hannah has raised will play an instrumental part in enabling us to invest in vital research at Breakthrough's dedicated breast cancer research centre, as well as our ongoing campaigning and education work.'

Anybody who feels inspired by Hannah’s story can still donate money by visiting her fundraising website www.justgiving.com/southpole.

Although such an endeavour may seem a far cry from her theatre marketing background, Hannah is no stranger to expedition life. She has already spent time in Antarctica and reached the Pole once before, as part of a team in 2004. She has also travelled extensively throughout the deserts of North Africa, visited isolated villages in Afghanistan’s Hindu Kush mountain range and competed in the 2005 Clipper Round the World Yacht Race.

As soon as she returns from the Geographic South Pole, Hannah will sail from Tasmania to the South Magnetic Pole aboard her 20-metre, schooner-rigged sailing yacht Blizzard, accompanied by her partner David Pryce (a master mariner and naval architect). As part of their recently launched company, Blizzard Expeditions, Hannah and David focus on exploring the Southern Ocean regions by mounting expeditions to South Georgia, Antarctica and South America.

www.adventurehannah.com
www.blizzardexpeditions.com
www.justgiving.com/southpole