Colin O’Brady Completes Historic Solo Trek Across Antarctica

Today, American polar adventurer Colin O’Brady, 33, completed a record-setting 921-mile unsupported solo journey across Antarctica. He became the first person to cross Antarctica solo, unsupported, and unaided by the wind.

O’Brady crossed Antarctica in 53 days. And in a mind-bending final push, he logged an ultramarathon without sleep, traveling more than 77 miles in 32 hours to the finish line.

In the unsupported style, O’Brady pulled a sled with all his supplies.

O’Brady pushed forward for nearly two months straight, reportedly taking just a single day off for a ski repair. British explorer Louis Rudd started the same day.

Solo, Unsupported, Unaided

The feat is historic. O’Brady’s transcontinental crossing with no outside aid makes him the first person to traverse Antarctica alone coast to coast, unsupported, and unaided by wind power.

However, some Arctic explorers have disputed this fact due to O’Brady’s rerouting at the beginning of his trip.

2 Explorers Are Attempting Solo Antarctic Crossings This Month

Most explorers who have tried to cross Antarctica solo either died or needed rescue. Despite that, two trekkers are attempting independent crossings right now. Read more…

According to famed polar explorer Eric Larsen, who started his own attempt a few weeks after O’Brady, the conditions this season were some of the worst he’s ever seen in Antarctica. Larsen pulled out of his attempt last week.

Congratulations to O’Brady on an insanely difficult undertaking and capturing a long-coveted first in the world of exploration.