Polar Explorer Caroline Côté Reaches South Pole in 34 Days
Canadian explorer Caroline Côté just set a new record by reaching the South Pole in 34 days, solo. Take a look at the press release and her website. What an incredible achievement!
With utmost excitement, Caroline Côté, endurance athlete and polar explorer, has reached the South Pole in amazing world record time of 34 days 2 hours and 53 mins, after setting off from the Hercules Inlet on December 9, 2022.
Caroline is now the fastest woman on Earth, beating the previous record of 38 days and 23 hours by Johanna Davidsson, to make the autonomous 1130 km trek on skis across Antarctica, dragging all her gear and supplies behind her in a sled. Very few people — less than 10 of which are women — have ever reached the South Pole in complete autonomy. Caroline's record-breaking achievement places her squarely in this elite company.
“The last 14 kilometers were really difficult. The elevation of the South Pole is more than 2800 meters, so you can really feel the effects of oxygen depletion. I had difficulty breathing and to keep going,” says Caroline.
Caroline’s mission was to take on “one of the most inaccessible places in the world, paving the way for future women adventurers,” breaking down “stereotypes that are unfavorable to women.” Exploration has been male dominated, but Caroline hopes her expedition can inspire more women and young girls to go beyond their limits to achieve extraordinary things.
Caroline was welcomed to the Amundsen-Scott base by British explorer Hannah MacKeand, the first holder of this record, and now head of the American scientific base. “Hannah was kind enough to wake up for my arrival: it was 4am local time!” says Caroline. “It is women like her and Johanna Davidsson who opened my eyes to what it could be like to make this journey, and also gave me the desire to help other girls, one day, to do it too.”
This record-breaking expedition was made possible in partnership with Protect Our Winters Canada, highlighting the effects of climate change already evident in Antarctica, and Helly Hansen.
Trusted by professionals to stay and feel alive, Helly Hansen supplied much of the apparel and gear that was essential for Caroline’s success on her journey. The award-winning Odin 9 Worlds Infinity Shell Jacket and the Odin Mountain Infinity 3L Bib Ski Pants that Caroline wore for the last 34 days straight are built for adventure and designed with protection, freedom of movement and breathability in mind. Both pieces are equipped with cutting edge LIFA INFINITY PROTM 3-layer construction, built without added chemical treatments or solvents. The proprietary technology ensures everlasting waterproof protection that does not need to be reactivated or reproofed and each LIFA INFINITY PROTM garment is solution-dyed, making them more responsible to produce.
"At Helly Hansen, Caroline truly inspires us and the work we do alongside our professionals,” says Sophie Boisvert, Helly Hansen Marketing Manager Canada. “After excitedly following her every step along the expedition, we are so thrilled for her accomplishment! What she was able to put her mind to and achieve is astounding. We hope she relishes every moment now and look forward to whatever her next adventure may be!"