For the first time in known history, a human being has sailed the seas, trekked the jungles, and skied both poles to circumnavigate the entire globe north to south, and back north.
The man who has perhaps seen more of Earth than any human alive just completed what might be one of the greatest expeditions ever attempted.
Last week, renowned explorer Mike Horn completed his epic 3-year Pole2Pole voyage, traversing the entire globe longitudinally. That included two pole crossings, one of which saw Horn become the first person to ski across Antarctica at its widest point unsupported.
The 53-year-old South African even added a stop in Pakistan to Summit K2 along the way.
Horn finished the Pole2Pole journey with his friend Borge Ousland, a famous Norwegian polar explorer. The duo crossed the Arctic via the North Pole, completing approximately 900 nautical miles by ski and foot.
“We made it!!!” Horn wrote announcing the completion of his journey on Sunday. “We are feeling exhausted and very tired mentally and physically right now. But as we stepped onto the boat, our bodies could switch off survival mode and we were relieved of all stress.”
Mike Horn Pole2Pole Expedition
In April 2016, professional adventurer and world-renowned explorer Mike Horn introduced us to Pole2Pole, a north-to-south-to-north circumnavigation of the entire planet. Horn’s journey spanned 24,000 miles by vehicle, sailboat, kayak, skis, and on foot.
His idea is crazy by many measures. So some consider it to be among the greatest expeditions of all time.
Much of the journey took place aboard Horn’s sailing ship, Pangea. The vessel dropped and retrieved Horn at both of his polar crossings.
His trek even included a record-setting ski traverse of Antarctica. Horn successfully navigated to and from the southern Pole of Inaccessibility, the most difficult-to-reach point on the most inhospitable continent.
He did the crossing unsupported, carrying all his gear alone in one of the harshest places on the planet. While he was on foot, his crew sailed his vessel to rendezvous points, conducting marine research along the way.
Perhaps best of all, Horn chronicled the entirety of his adventure on Instagram — complete with inspirational quotes and sights many will never see firsthand.
Congrats to Mike Horn on one of the greatest adventures in history. Get some rest!