They’ve already reached the South Pole, and now now Australian adventurers James Castrission and Justin Jones are in a hurry to catch the last flight out of the continent ahead of winter storms.
The duo planted an Australian flag at the bottom of the world about 7am AEST on Saturday, the 31st of December.
Blizzards meant they reached the halfway mark of their journey about 10 days later than anticipated, resulting in a rationing of food supplies and just 28 days to ski 1,100 kilometres back to Hercules Inlet on the coast.
If they do not make it in time, they will miss the last flight of the season out of the icy continent.
James’ father John Castrission says they are expected to make it.
“The base to which they go to closes on January 27 so the onus is upon the boys to make big mileage on the way back,” he said.
“They’re aided by the fact the wind will now be behind them and there is a gradual descent all the way to the pole.”
In a satellite phone interview, Jones said he had endured considerable pain from several toes that had become infected.
In 2008, Castrission and Jones, friends since attending Sydney’s Knox Grammar, made history by becoming the first people to kayak from Australia to New Zealand.
Castrission said the Antarctic expedition had made the Tasman trip seem like “a family holiday” in comparison.
“This place has really ripped us apart,” he said. “It really has been the hardest we’ve ever had to push ourselves.”
(source:ABC News)
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