32-year-old British Sikh Army officer, Captain Harpreet Chandi has become the first Indian origin woman to complete an unsupported solo trek to the remote South Pole. She completed the expedition in 40 days by covering a distance of 700 miles. During her journey, Captian Chandi had to battle harsh weather conditions, with temperatures dipping to -50 degrees Celcius and wind speeds going up to 60mph. She pulled her pulk all along through the snowy scapes and on the 40th day, announced the completion on her journey on her Instagram handle, ‘polarpreet’.
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One Of The Biggest Lessons I’ve Learnt Is Not To Limit Myself, Says Captain Chandi
In one of her Instagram posts, Captain Chandi had revealed that she had come across the idea of her solo expedition to the South Pole 2.5 years ago. She added, “One of the biggest lessons I’ve learnt is not to limit yourself. We are capable of so much, it took me a while to believe in myself but I got there eventually!” She had collected her kit and equipment from Chile and had stayed there for some days before heading to Antarctica.
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Captain Chandi Underwent Polar Training For Some Months Before The Expedition
Captain Chandi is pursuing a masters degree in Sports and Exercise Medicine from London’s Queen Mary’s University. For the last few months, she underwent polar training by pulling two large and heavy tires, as a substitute to the pulk she has been dragging in Antarctica. After finally reaching the South Pole and making history, she wrote, ” I knew nothing about the polar world three years ago and it feels so surreal to finally be here.” She also thanked everyone who had supported her for the expedition.
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Before leaving for the journey, the captain had got engaged to her fiance, Army reservist David Jarman. While writing from Antarctica, she also tagged her loved ones who she wants to be her bridesmaids. After Captain Chandi returns from the South Pole, the couple has plans to reunite in Chile. Meanwhile, another Girl From Kolkata Hitchhiked Solo To Kiruna In Arctic Circle With Just ₹10,000 In Her Pocket.