Grand Slam South Pole Expedition

I haven’t posted in a while. I’m just finishing my journals from Denali 2022 and Kilimanjaro 2024, and I’ll have updates soon. It’s been a journey, and there’s more to come.

I finished the 7 summits but didn’t know how to end the story, plus it didn’t finish my love for climbing. The older I get, the taller the mountains become. The challenges only grow more compelling with time. I know there will be a day without a dream of the next mountain, but that reality feels far off. The older I get, the more I will have to face this, but I also know it will not be today. There’s still more to do.

Ready to embark from Vail Golf Club, Colorado.

Journey to Patagonia and Beyond: The Adventure Begins

The start of any great expedition is often chaotic, and my preparation for this three-week journey to Antarctica was no different. I arrived in Punta Arenas, the southernmost city in Chile, after leaving behind the organized storm of preparation in my basement—sleeping bags, gloves, coats, and gear scattered everywhere. The logistics of pulling a sled reminded me of the challenges ahead, even as the chaos of packing became a familiar ritual.

Punta Arenas itself is a place steeped in history. Walking its streets, I couldn’t help but think of the Selk’nam people, Patagonia’s original inhabitants, who thrived here long before European settlers arrived. Their story—marked by resilience and tragedy—deepened my respect for this region’s harsh beauty and complex history.

In the spirit of embracing the local culture, I tried speaking with a group of nuns. Unfortunately, it wasn’t a holy day, as I had thought—it was the day after. Sometimes, that’s how adventures unfold. It's not just about the physical journey but the lessons learned along the way. In fact, I even stopped to kiss the gold toe of the Magellan statue in the town square—a local tradition said to bring good luck. As I’ve reflected in this moment, part of the adventure is learning about the culture as much as the nature.

Magellan statue, Punta Arenas, Chile.

Beyond the personal encounters, I’ve been diving into the stories of early polar explorers. Their hardships were immense—some even resorting to cannibalism, while others battled storms in an effort to simply survive. But I know my own experience won’t be as grim. There will still be challenges, but there’s hope in this journey, as well as the understanding that exploration itself is as much about resilience as it is about discovery.

Antarctica: A Landscape of Resilience

After a few days in Punta Arenas, I flew to Antarctica, and three days later, I’m still here. Sleeping in a tent at -10°C, surrounded by the beauty and raw power of this environment. We do have a dinner tent with a library that hosts evening lectures, and many of the “who’s who” of mountaineering or polar exploration are here for brief months to explore the continent. It’s inspiring to be surrounded by so many driven individuals, all with their own deep passion for the mountains and polar regions. It’s humbling to be among such a remarkable group of people.

This unique environment is governed by the Antarctic Treaty, an agreement signed by multiple countries to preserve the continent for peaceful exploration and scientific research. Changes to this treaty require unanimous consent, but its renewal in 2041 will only need 75% approval. With Antarctica’s vast mineral resources, the future of this governance will undoubtedly shape the continent’s fate.

A Thought on the Trail

Today, while getting worn out on the trail, I found myself revisiting a question I’ve been asked before: “How did you climb Everest?” My answer has always been the same—one step at a time. Never look at the top; just focus on the next step. But today, I added something new: Make every step have purpose, as long as you know where you’re going.

This expedition is testing me both physically and mentally. Pulling a sled laden with supplies in -20°C weather demands everything I’ve got. But every step—no matter how grueling—reminds me why I’m here.

Tomorrow, I’ll begin a 10-day trek to the South Pole. The past few days have been filled with intense training, moments of rest in the dinner tent, and even the luxury of two showers a week. When we reach the pole, it will be pure grit and determination, and any comfort will have to come from within.

Reflections on Exploration

As I prepare for this next leg of the journey, I think about the explorers who came before me—their courage, their mistakes, and their triumphs. In 1902, Robert Falcon Scott and Edward Wilson skied through the Antarctic fog to explore an inlet rather than pushing farther south for the sake of setting a record. Their decision reflected the spirit of true exploration: understanding the land rather than conquering it.

Their stories are a reminder that exploration isn’t just about reaching the farthest point or breaking records—it’s about resilience, discovery, and respect for the unknown.

Lessons for Life

The lessons I share with my grandkids remain my guiding principles. I often tell my kids, and anyone who asks, “What would you do if you were in my shoes?” Whether it’s work or life, my advice is the same. Find something you’re good at, something you love, something that makes you dream at night, and that you can do alone, just as much fun as being with others. Don’t let others tell you (including me) where to find happiness and fulfillment. Only you can find it. Don’t let money or status drive you. They’ll come if you do what you’re good at and what you love.

This journey is about more than reaching the South Pole. It’s about embracing challenges, finding purpose in each step, and discovering what lies beyond the next horizon.