Whilst most of us finalise plans to spend some time with our loved ones, spare a thought for Felicity Aston, the British adventurer who is currently tackling a solo crossing of Antarctica. Since her incredible journey began over three weeks ago, she has tackled stormy weather, injuries and frostbite; although, Aston believes that the total solitude is the hardest part of the expedition to contend with. About one third of the way into her 1,000-mile journey, Aston is set to be the first woman to cross the frozen continent alone.

I Would Walk 1,000 Miles

The emotional aspect of the journey is something that Aston was well prepared for, as her training involved sessions with many specialists in the field, although she was perhaps surprised with how hard the solitude has hit her. One potential boost to Aston’s spirits is that she is scheduled to hit the South Pole this week, before heading out to the other side of the continent.

Getting Used to the Journey

A journey of this magnitude tends to magnify all of the little issues that perhaps may not bother on other expeditions. Whether it is the lighters needed to get a fire going suddenly refusing to work, or the binding on your ski boots becoming slightly out of line, when you are on your own these things can drag you down. Aston posted on Twitter last week that she must be getting used to the journey, as she “didn’t burst into tears at any point” the day before.