First British explorer successfully crosses Antarctica solo

Captain Louis Rudd has become the first British explorer to complete an unassisted journey across the continent of Antarctica.

Capt Rudd, 49, is only the second person in history to finish a trek once thought impossible, completing his expedition just a few days after American Colin O’Brady, 33.

Both men were in the running to be the first to traverse Antarctica without receiving resupplies or being powered forward by the wind.

It took Capt Rudd, a father of three from Hereford, 56 days to complete the gruelling journey, hauling a 140kg sled for 925 miles.

He did not have a single rest day as he ascended more than 6,000ft (1,830m) over sastrugi – wave-like ridges created by the wind – sustained by a “grazing bag” which included chocolate, nuts, and 200g of cheese and salami.

The feat has been compared to pulling two adult males from London to Naples via the summit of Mont Blanc.

Speaking to Sky News from his one man tent as he waited to be picked by a ski plane, Capt Rudd said he was “elated and really happy”.

Capt Rudd, a motor transport officer based at the Infantry Battle School in Brecon, Mid Wales, was not disappointed to come second, he said, because it was “all about the journey”.

Conditions in Antarctica were very unpredictable, Capt Rudd said.

He explained: “Some days when he sun’s out and the winds are light and visibility’s good, you’ll be skiing along – it’ll be minus 20 which I’m very comfortable at – and you’ll thinking, ‘This is fantastic.’

“(But) it can change in the blink of an eye, and suddenly you’ll be at minus 35 in a 50mph wind in complete whiteout, having to stare at your compass for 12 hours to make sure you ski a straight line, thinking, ‘This is absolutely horrific.’

Capt Rudd said the trek had been emotional and was dedicated to his close friend and fellow British explorer Henry Worsley, who died near the end of his attempt of the same journey in 2016.

Writing in his blog, Capt Rudd said: “I’ve just heard that the American Colin’s finished. Fantastic, well done to him. He’d pushed really hard all the way across and done extremely well, so congratulations to him.”

Mr O’Brady had been told he may never walk again after an accident burned his legs in 2008.

After finishing, he wrote: “I’m going to sit tight here at the finish and wait for Lou to complete his crossing.

“Captain Louis Rudd is one of the most accomplished polar explorers to ever live and a distinguished member of the British Armed Forces.

“It has been an honour to strive for the same goal – the first to complete a solo, unsupported, unaided crossing of Antarctica.

“I’m looking forward to greeting him here at the finish line and congratulating him on his extraordinary accomplishment.

“We will step into the history books together as the only two people to have completed such a crossing.”

Capt Rudd returned the praise: “I want to say a huge congratulations to Colin – what an achievement.

“To be honest it’s a minor miracle that both of us have completed a journey that’s been attempted before, but nobody’s ever managed it and then, lo and behold, in one season two of us attempting it.

“The fact that both of us have finished is absolutely fantastic,” he added.

(c) Sky News 2018: First British explorer successfully crosses Antarctica solo