Book: No Horizon Is So Far by Liv Arnesen and Ann Bancroft with Cheryl Dahle

Two Women and Their Extraordinary Journey Across Antarctica

In late 2000 and early 2001, these two women, an American (Ann) and a Norwegian (Liv) trudge, ski and wind-sail across Antarctica, pulling sleds behind them loaded with all their gear. They were well-prepared, both having had previous polar adventures, and very fit and strong.  Obviously, they lived to tell the story.

It cost a LOT of money, a good bit of it to pay for a plane to fly them from South Africa to Antarctica, and for a helicopter and ship for take-out near McMurdo. They endured as they figured out their sails, had setbacks and mishaps, were alternately exhausted, elated, discouraged, depressed, jubilant and ultimately successful. One of the cool things they did was keep in touch via satellite phone with schools all over the world. Thousands of kids vicariously went along on their trip.

"The terrain Ann and Liv would head into for the second leg of the trip was new for both of them. Certain portions of their intended route had existed for thousands of years untouched by man. They would be the first expedition to descend the Shackleton Glacier. For both women, this second leg was the true milestone of the journey. "

At the research station at the South Pole, the staff were "friendly, but they are not allowed to give you 'official' help. Ann and I still slept in our tent there, and our use of the showers and cafeteria was as guests of individuals there, not as part of South Pole policy. These rules came about because the station did not wish to be accused of helping too much or unequally. And, mainly, it did not want to become a Motel 6 for explorers."

"My heart was pounding and I felt almost in shock from my own fear. I had no idea what she was so wound up about. I would find out later that she was warning me not to push the sleds from behind; had I shoved too forcefully getting out the crevasse, I would have pushed her forward into a crevasse in front of her."

They were enormously gratified to be allowed to visit Shackleton's hut..."like a museum, perfectly preserved just as he left it. Canisters of cocoa and food sit on the shelves, along with shards of pottery...A row of boots and shoes are lined up near the stove..." Which, for them, was like touching the hem of his garment.