Women begin historic trek across Antarctica

November 16, 2000
Web posted at: 9:47 AM EST (1447 GMT)

From Daryn Kagan
CNN Corrspondent

(CNN) -- Imagine going to bed one night knowing that the following day you would be boarding a small plane that would airlift you to the Southern-most tip of the world -- the unpredictable and frozen continent of Antarctica. Well, that is the real-life scenario for two polar explorers Ann Bancroft and Liv Arnesen.

On Monday, these two former elementary schoolteachers set out to be the first all-female team to successfully trek across the 2,400-mile frozen land. Taking the road less traveled has always been their life's work.

"I don't view this as an extreme kind of activity, but it's very hard to convince people that this isn't reckless," Bancroft said.

Bancroft was raised in rural Minnesota, where she remembers her father taking her into the open wilderness. Books also had an influence on her life. She read stories about young explorers like Ernest Shackelton who searched out distant lands.

In 1986, Bancroft set out from Northern Canada to the North Pole. She wanted to be the first woman ever to get there -- and she did. But she wasn't through. Six years later, she embarked on what would be her first journey across Antarctica. She recruited three other women for the 1,500-mile expedition.

	VIDEO
CNN's Daryn Kagan talks with two female polar explorers trying to set the record Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)
CNN's Daryn Kagan describes the route for the female trekkers Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)

But after 67 days, the grueling elements would take their toll and her team would only get as far as the South Pole, just a third of the way into their expedition.

"I think that was the hardest decision I've ever made in my life. It was also the right decision, but having it be right did not make it easy," Bancroft said.

So in 1993, Ann Bancroft found herself back in the United States with the unfinished business of completing an all-female trek across Antarctica. The key to making that dream come true was finding the perfect partner -- someone who could complete the treacherous 2,400 mile journey. Who would imagine that that woman lived a world away in Oslo, Norway?

"I think it's kind of magic, meeting a woman with the same interests as myself," said Arnesen from her cabin just outside Norway.

She too has been training hard, and despite the persistent rain on the day we traveled to Norway, Arnesen is pushing herself. She spends her days kayaking on the lake neighboring her home, following by cycling and then a brisk run through the marshy woods.

In 1994, Arnesen became the first woman to successfully trek solo from the tip of Antarctica to the South Pole. It was an incredible achievement that caught the eye of Ann Bancroft.

"So I called her up and said, what are you doing and would you be interested? She was very intrigued and she goes, I think we should do this project," Bancroft said.

For the past two years, Bancroft has traveled to Norway so they can train together in the winter months. The remaining time is spent apart, giving them the opportunity to train, well, creatively.

Bancroft spent plenty of time in an ice cream freezer adapting to the frozen temperatures and testing her equipment. The two have also had to come to grips with the realization of the unknown. What if there is an injury? Do you go on or call it quits?

Doctors have been teaching the duo the proper way to stitch up a cut, demonstrating what sorts of medicines to use and showing them how to prepare for a life-threatening accident. Dr. Steve Sterner of Minneapolis' Hennepin County Medical Center was asked to assist with the training.

"You obviously have this incredible trip and it is going in a place where most of us can't imagine. It's like going to the moon. There are no 7-11s, no Urgent Cares down there; you're really on your own. It's an impressive undertaking and one not to be taken lightly," Sterner said.

The two must cross Antarctica in 100 days because there's only a three-month window in the weather. It will be summer, but don't let that term fool you -- the temperatures will average -30 degrees despite the 24-hours of daylight during that time.

They will start along the tip of Queen Maud Land, an elevation of 11,000 feet. Then the terrain will flatten out. Their goal is to reach Admundsen-Scott station at the South Pole -- a 1,300-mile journey -- by Christmas Day.

"You know, if I look at this activity as my whole career, this is my peak moment. I've been building for this my whole career," Bancroft said.

Once they reach the South Pole, they will still have more than 1,000 miles to go. They'll have to ski down the precarious Axle Heberg glacier until they reach the Ross Ice Shelf. If all goes well, they will finally reach home base in McMurdo, Antarctica. It's an accomplishment that Arnesen says she is looking forward to, but understands that it's a long time away.

"I envision us coming close to McMurdo, skiing side by side, and we've had a good expedition, but I'm not thinking about it too much, because it's such a long stretch," Arnesen said.

Bancroft added, "Both of us know Antarctica. We don't know exactly where we'll be led and that's kind of exciting. You know, not scary, but nervous piece, cause thats really the unknown,"

Bancroft and Arnesen agree that it's a challenge and a dream that they have both been preparing for all of their lives.

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