A British explorer has become the first woman to complete a solo traverse of Canada’s Baffin Island.
Camilla Hempleman-Adams, 32, pulled a sledge 150 miles in temperatures as low as -40C and winds as high as 47mph.
She finished the trek from Qikiqtarjuaq to Pangnirtung in 13 days – a day ahead of schedule.
The largely uninhabited Arctic island is the fifth largest in the world and is in far northwest Canada – between the mainland and Greenland.
Speaking from the Inuit hamlet of Pangnirtung, Ms Hempleman-Adams said: « I’m feeling pretty exhausted, I have very sore feet, but it’s nice to be back in civilisation, just slowly settling back in.
« It’s been a really tough two weeks, but an incredible two weeks. »
« When you go in by yourself, you just have a mindset to keep going, » she said.
« You adapt, you have the mindset that you can’t give up. There is no giving up in those conditions. »
She admitted she had been looking forward to a hot shower.
Ms Hempleman-Adams was met at the finish line by her father. Pic: PA
Her father, adventurer Sir David Hempleman-Adams, flew out to meet her at the finish line.
He said he’d been « really, really worried » due to the strong winds – which increase the chance of frostbite.
Read more from Sky News:
First orbital rocket from Europe crashes in sea
Clocks go forward – but should it be scrapped?
« Being solo, you’ve got to be really on top of your game the whole time. If you just lose concentration for five minutes, it’s a real problem, » he said.
Sir David added: « It’s a fantastic advertisement for females. I mean, we are big, ugly and strong, but she’s half my weight and did it twice as fast as I did. »
Ms Hempleman-Adams also became the youngest British female to ski to the North Pole when she was just 15.
Poster un Commentaire