A 68-Year-Old Man Becomes the Oldest Person to Conquer Antarctica Solo.
Mr. Dave Thomas (left) and Mr. Alan Chambers (right) photographed at the South Pole.
(Photo: The Royal Marines Charity)
Mr. Dave Thomas, a 68-year-old former Royal Marine from Coelbren, South Powys (Wales), has surpassed the previous record holder from four years ago, becoming the oldest person to conquer Antarctica as of now.
He and his companion Alan Chambers reached their destination on January 19, after 58 days of trekking through the harshest conditions on Earth.
The duo set off from Hercules Inlet on the western Antarctic continent on November 22 and skied to their goal without any assistance over a distance of 1,180 kilometers.
However, they also had to pull sleds laden with food, fuel, and supplies throughout their journey.
The explorers pulled heavy sleds filled with essentials without assistance.
(Photo: BBC)
Temperatures dropped to around -24 degrees Celsius as they crossed the polar plateau, worsening in the final days before they reached their destination.
Mr. Thomas celebrated his 68th birthday just before Christmas, on the 19th day of the expedition.
Portrait of the world’s oldest self-sufficient Antarctic explorer, Dave Thomas.
(Photo: The Royal Marines Charity).
He stated: “Reaching the 1,000-kilometer mark five days ago was a huge emotional milestone for us. And although we knew we were in the final stretch with still a few tough days ahead, we were determined to maintain our pace and resist any temptation to rush to the finish.”
Mr. Chambers added that the Antarctic journey was not an easy feat, but their determination to overcome all challenges helped them persevere.
According to Sky News, the duo conducted scientific research during their expedition, examining the global impact of nano plastics and the effects of sensory deprivation in the remote climate on the human body.
