Brit explorer's daughter becomes youngest person to ski to South Pole

Updated
Brit explorer's daughter becomes youngest person to ski to South Pole
Brit explorer's daughter becomes youngest person to ski to South Pole

AFP/Getty


The daughter of British explorer David Hempleman-Adams has become the youngest person to ski to the South Pole, a feat which she achieved alongside her dad.

Amelia Hempleman-Adams, 16, and dad David, who was the first Briton to reach the South Pole solo and unsupported, set off 97 miles from the pole at The Farthest Point South, where Ernest Shackleton had to turn back on 9 January 1909.

The pair said they were 'elated but tired' after camping in the Antarctic for 17 nights, and enduring temperatures as low as -50C.

The teen told the BBC: 'This expedition has been an extraordinary experience.

The biggest challenges were the freezing cold, dried food, pulling frozen poo in a sledge, dad's snoring.

'The best bit has been experiencing what dad does on expeditions.

'It's the first time I've been on a trek with him and now I know what it's like. Would I do it again? I'll have to think about that after a few nights' sleep.'

David expressed his pride in his daughter, but said the trip had been one of his most daunting.

'Amelia has done amazingly well. I'm very proud of her.

'This expedition was probably the most challenging for me. I'm very protective of Amelia who is my youngest daughter.

'It's one thing going off on an expedition on your own but another thing when you are looking after your own teenager daughter.

'Obviously, I wanted to make sure she returned to the UK with all her fingers and toes.'

But it's not the first time David has completed a trek with one of his daughters; Amelia's sister Alicia became the youngest person to trek to the North Pole at the age of 15.


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