Snowdrifts, storms, heavy sledges and temperatures down to minus 40 degrees. This is how it was for Roald Amundsen when he became the first man to the South Pole in 1911. And this is how it will be for Marthe Brendefur when she will follow in his footsteps in November. She has been selected from among 350 applicants who wanted to go on a trip. She found out yesterday. – It was shock and extreme joy. The microphone on zoom had to be muted a bit, she says. Marthe Brendefur in front of Amundsen’s desk. This is where he planned the polar expedition. Photo: Astrid Johanne Sørnes / news There are less than 200 in the world who have gone to the South Pole like this – without outside help. By comparison, over 4,000 have managed to reach Mount Everest. – The trip of life The Antarctic Heritage Trust is behind the trip, in collaboration with Ousland Explorers. In addition to the healthy Brendefur, two new Zealanders have been selected to join. November 10 carries it to Antarctica – our coldest, driest and windiest continent. Approx. 1000 kilometers above the ice – twice as far as the distance Oslo-Namsos as the crow flies. Roald Amundsen and his entourage reached the South Pole on December 14, 1911. Photo: Helmer Hanssen – The South Pole has been a diamond that has shone down there for many, many years. It is life’s turn to be able to travel there, says Brendefur. The 30-year-old has eight years in the defense behind him, and works with cyber security. In addition, she has crossed both Finnmarksvidda, Hardangervidda and Grønland on skis. – I am generally very fond of snow, she laughs. Brendefur is used to cold: Here from when she crossed Greenland. Photo: Private On Amundsen’s own birthday, she gets a tour of his house at Svartskog. – This is the first time I’m here. It’s incredibly fun to see what it looks like in here, the equipment he used and how little material they had to plan with. Norway’s next polar explorer was announced in front of Amundsen’s home on Saturday morning. Photo: Trygve Heide / news – Antarctica is ruthless – We had to choose people with the mental strength to stand in this here and implement it. Antarctica is a psychologically tough goal to reach, says Lars Ebbesen in Ousland Explorers. Lars Ebbesen in Ousland Explorers thinks the trip will be a strong experience. Photo: Astrid Johanne Sørnes / news For an expedition on our southernmost continent is not just baby food: At the start of the trip, the weather is at its warmest, but it changes quickly. Closer to the goal, it gets colder, and the snow turns into what Amundsen himself called “fish glue”. – Antarctica is merciless, Ebbesen emphasizes. In Antarctica, the temperature can be tens of degrees below zero. Photo: Arne Nævra / Samfoto – How do you prepare for this? – It will be reading aloud, training really hard towards departure and making sure everything is in order. That you can repair things and know the equipment, says Brendefur. But one object becomes extra symbolic to carry with it: Roald Amundsen’s private diary, which has been hidden from most people for the past 50 years. Anders Bache, specialist consultant at Roald Amundsen’s home, will present it. He is happy about the expedition: – This is not just a black and white story about old men. It’s about new expeditions and new polar explorers. New stamps on the 150th anniversary of Roald Amundsen. Photo: Posten / NTB Will be a film The adventure on the ice will also be a documentary. It will be filmed by one of the New Zealanders. But all three polar explorers will give people insight into the journey. – I must learn tiktok, jokes Brendefur. According to Lars Ebbesen, a desire to share the trip and the story was one of the prerequisites for being elected. The same is said by Nigel Watson, head of the Antarctic Heritage Trust: – It is important that they go in the spirit of Amundsen. Roald Amundsen was a polar explorer, and the first man at the South Pole.
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