Solo and Unsupported South Pole Ski Expedition
Rob Knight is a young Australian with a dream, a dream he has nurtured since he was a boy. His dream, to explore the Earth’s polar regions, is becoming reality and has already taken him to parts of the Arctic and Antarctica usually reserved for people many years his senior.
Inspired by the frozen worlds and those that partake in their beauty, Rob in turn is set to inspire the nation. Few people have challenged Antarctica in a way that Rob will – the youngest person to ski solo and unsupported to the South Pole.
An expedition such as SouthSolo requires motivation beyond that provided by any single individual and Rob gains inspiration from those suffering from Cystic Fibrosis. Their strength, fortitude and determination will maintain him through the long, cold and windy days he will experience. This inspiration has led Rob to dedicate this expedition to helping raise funds and awareness for Cystic Fibrosis Australia.
It has been said many times that the future of Australia lies in its youth. Young Australian’s are presented with many opportunities - through education, developmental programs, grants, support networks … It is well recognised that these opportunities facilitate excellence in young people from which society as a whole benefits greatly.
But true greatness is most often fostered by inspiration.
All humans are energised by truly remarkable individuals and their feats. They cultivate within us dreams of grandeur and stir us to act on those dreams. And from those acts come lifelong passions that can alter the course of history. Mandela and DaVinci, Mother Theresa and Einstein were all once young.
SouthSolo is a bold and visionary endeavour that will galvanize the youth of our nation into believing that …
… anything is possible.
As a child, Robert Knight travelled the world with his roving family, growing up in countries like Venezuela, Nigeria and Colombia.
This imbued in him a sense of adventure that would quickly turn to the polar regions. He started working in Antarctica at the age of 18, with Quark Expeditions aboard the Russian icebreaker, Kapitan Khlebnikov. Since then Rob has undertaken over 35 voyages to Antarctica, most recently as Assistant Expedition Leader on the ship, Ocean Nova. He has also worked for three months in the Arctic.
In April 2007 Rob became the youngest Australian to ski to the North Pole, completing a 100+km expedition over the Arctic Ocean to the top of the world. This trek confirmed a long-held belief that he was capable of exploring more intimately the polar regions he had until then experienced mainly by ship.
Rob lives in Hobart, Tasmania where he is studying a Bachelor of Tourism at the University of Tasmania. As one of the top students at the University, he was asked this year to join the Golden Key International Honour Society for outstanding academic achievement. When not working in the polar regions or studying, he spends much of his time exploring Tasmania’s wilderness. Much of his wilderness travel he does solo, including an ascent of Tassie’s challenging Federation Peak.
SouthSolo, will be a test of skill, endurance and resourcefulness, and at 23, he will become the youngest person to ski alone and unsupported to the South Pole.
THE EXPEDITION
SouthSolo begins in early-November 2008 at Hercules Inlet on the geographical coast of Antarctica. After transporting all his food and equipment from Australia to Punta Arenas, Chile, Rob will spend a week in this South American city making final preparations. From here he will fly south to Patriot Hills, a temporary base at the foot of the Ellsworth Mountains. A short flight takes him to his start point, Hercules Inlet, on the geographical coast of Antarctica
Rob will tow a 120kg sled containing all that is required - food, fuel, clothing and equipment - for 60 days of Antarctic survival. Skiing alone without the support of re-supplies or caches remains as one of the greatest Antarctic challenges; a test of resilience, endurance and skill.
From Hercules Inlet the route heads due south. With his sled at its heaviest, the terrain uphill and his body not yet acclimatised to the workload, this first stage will be the most demanding of the expedition. As the weeks unfold however, Rob will find a polar rhythm that will take him ever towards the bottom of the world.
Passing the Thiel Mountains, these will be the last geological features Rob will see as he ascends onto the austere Antarctic Plateau. This vast expanse, the largest ice desert in the world and home to Earth’s coldest temperatures, will present the final challenge. After skiing 1000km across the world’s most inhospitable continent, Rob will be at journey’s end, the South Pole.
South Solo will utilise state-of-the-art communications technology to stay in touch with the world. The expedition website will be updated daily with news from the ice, giving the public a direct link to Rob’s progress.
If find out more on this amazing expedition visit www.southsolo.com
