A West Auckland man is well on his way to becoming the first New Zealander to walk to both North and South Poles in a single year.
But for businessman and ironman Ross Maxwell, it is not records that drive him but his love for Arctic exploration.
“Some parts of it have been a slog but the place has been stunning and it is just fantastic to be out here,” says Mr Maxwell who trained for his trip to the South Pole by dragging a tyre around a forest.
Mr Maxwell says this is the perfect simulation of pulling a 60 kilo sled in freezing temperatures – a feat of endurance he is modest about.
“It is just a matter of keeping on for those 53 days. And as far as toughness goes, it is not tough at all, frankly.”
Some moments were precarious – at one point 100km/h winds snapped three of his tent poles.
“We had no option but to collapse that tent and secure it. So there has been some excitement and as someone once said the adventure really starts when things go wrong.”
But, on January 3, the team arrived at the geographic South Pole.
“Our expedition has tracked just under 1200km over one of the most inhospitable places on Earth but it is absolutely stunning,” says Mr Maxwell.
“It is very difficult to describe the beauty of this place. It really is a privilege to be standing here today. To actually arrive it was just this deep feeling of satisfaction.”
From the South Pole, North is the only way but few go as far as the opposite pole. Maxwell wants to complete the last degree of latitude – a ten day trip.
He is still polar fit so training is no problem but the going will be tough. He failed to reach the North Pole in a race last year so it is unfinished business.
“The ice rubble is much harder than the wind formed Sastrugi in Antarctica, and of course the other issue in the North is the water. Crossing means moving from ice-flow to ice-flow.”
Polar bears are a thrilling if somewhat dangerous possibility. Mr Maxwell wants an encounter, but not too close.
Maxwell should complete his historic trip in April.
3 News