Veteran Australian Explorer Gets Green Light for History Making Mission across Antarctica
Australian explorer Dr Geoff Wilson today announced The Longest Journey expedition has received all clearances to proceed, a mission many people said was “impossible”.
In early November, Dr Wilson will embark on a three-month journey across Antarctica, one of the harshest environments on the planet, in an attempt to complete the longest solo journey ever made by a human in a polar region by traversing alone and unassisted across 5,800km.
Dr Wilson also strives to be the first Australian to make it to the Pole of Inaccessibility on the Antarctic Plateau, and the first person to climb Dome Argus (the coldest naturally occurring place on earth).
“I’m so excited that the Longest Journey expedition is a GO! said Dr Wilson. “It’s been a focus and near obsession for me to make this adventure a reality. I’m also thrilled that the driving force behind my mission will once again be the McGrath Foundation. Women undergoing breast cancer treatment battle their own journey from diagnosis back to good health. Every day on my expedition, their resilience, tenacity and courage will inspire me to keep going.”
Dr Wilson will carry everything he needs to survive on a single sled. If the winds are in his favour, he’ll use his superior kite-skiing skills to make ground; if not, it will take a Herculean effort to pull the sled behind him, drawing on significant mental and physical strength.
No stranger to extreme hardship, Dr Wilson holds the current record for the fastest Coast to Coast crossing via the South Pole of the Antarctic continent (53 days), the fastest crossing of Greenland south to north (18 days), the first and only wind assisted crossings of the Sahara Desert (42 days) and the infamous Torres Strait (3 days).
The harsh conditions he will face on his Longest Journey are in stark contrast to life on his family farm in the Currumbin Valley on the sunny Gold Coast in Queensland.
Dr Wilson will be carrying the latest in satellite communications technology, a Pivotel/Iridium Gen 2 Satellite (weighing 7kg and equivalent to a week’s worth of food), enabling the first ever live feed of an expedition from Antarctica.
Connect to www.thelongestjourney.com.au and @drgeoffwilson on Instagram for all updates as the journey progresses.
About The Longest Journey: In early November, Dr Wilson will embark on a three-month journey across Antarctica, one of the harshest environments on the planet, in an attempt to complete the longest solo journey ever made by a human in a polar region by traversing alone and unsupported across approximately 5,800km. Dr Wilson also strives to be the first Australian to make it to the Pole of Inaccessibility on the Antarctic Plateau, and the first person to climb Dome Argus (the coldest naturally occurring place on earth). The expedition is made possible thanks to the generous support of sponsors and partners: The Hordern Family, Pivotel, Iridium, Wild Earth, VetLove, Rhythm Snow Sports, Marmot, Salomon and Scarpa.
About Dr Geoff Wison: Founder of 5th Element Expeditions and World Record Holding Adventurer, Dr Wilson is well-versed in endurance and using kite-based technology. He holds the current record for the fastest Coast-to-Coast crossing via the South Pole of the Antarctic continent (53 days), the fastest crossing of Greenland south-to-north (18 days), the first and only wind-assisted crossings of the Sahara Desert (42 days) and the infamous Torres Strait (3 days). Dr Wilson is passionate about delivering purpose-driven adventure. He is recognized as one of the Australian Museum’s “50 Trailblazers” of all time. He is married to Sarah, has three children and lives on the Gold Coast, Queensland in Australia.
About the McGrath Foundation: The Foundation raises funds to support people with breast cancer by providing specialist McGrath Breast Care Nurses where they are most needed across Australia. The McGrath Foundation currently funds 135 nurses who provide essential physical and emotional support free of charge to anyone experiencing breast cancer and their families from diagnosis and throughout their treatment.
Breast cancer is estimated to be the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia (1 in 7 women will be diagnosed in their lifetime) and as the rate of diagnoses increases, so too does the need for more McGrath Breast Care Nurses.
Funding is needed to close the current gap of 120 nurses to ensure every person experiencing breast cancer has access to this invaluable service. To find out more and to donate go to: www.mcgrath foundation.com.au. Together, we can make a difference.
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