1646 – Issue 2

The ski’s slid forward again, it was yet another 10 hour day and there were icicles hanging from my face mask. The warm air I breathed out would immediately freeze as it came into contact with the chilly winds of Antarctica. It was another day at -45 degrees and I continued in silence, isolated inside the confides of a fur hood and Oakley goggles that protected my eyes from any snow blindness. I was here through choice, another adventure, an expedition to become the first British Team to Traverse Antarctica. As we ploughed on across the Polar Plateau I wondered what I was doing there, but then, on the horizon, in the far distance, I saw the rocky peaks of mountains. Finally! The sight filled me with joy and I shared this with the team, despite the cold and gusts of wind I took my hood off and pointed at the mountain peaks, a sudden realization that there was an end in sight, that this empty expanse of icy whiteness had an end and just beyond those mountains was the Ross Sea and our destination. I can recall that moment and the excitement that filled the team, after days spent hauling our sledges over the Titan Dome. There is a satisfaction and reward in knowing that your hard work and endurance has been worth the effort. We reached these Transantarctic mountains after another three days and descended onto the Shackleton Glacier, switching to crampons from ski’s and making the treacherous descent through mine-fields of crevasses. Eventually, after 67 days, we made our final camp and were picked up in a small Twin Otter and flew back to Union Glacier Base Camp. This was my second major expedition and it felt like an incredible privilege to be a part of the team. Antarctica was as inhospitable an environment as anyone could imagine and I am incredibly fortunate to have had the opportunity to even see that remote continent, let alone cross it. It was an opportunity that arose through the my love of adventure, which led me to join the Army Reserves and then several years later try out for selection on this elite team of guys. It is interesting to think where life takes us and I know for myself that I never thought I would one day stand at the South Pole , but I did know I wanted to explore and I still do. What began when myself and fellow Old Blue James Thysse (2005) set off across the Indian Ocean only three years after finishing school and became the world’s youngest ocean rowing pair has spurred a life seeking new challenges and wondering what more is out in the world for us to discover. This year marks another year for doing just that. I intend to traverse Antarctica again. But this time it will be even further and to the very centre, the Pole of Inaccessibility. It will be exciting and with my expedition partner Justin Packshaw we will look to explore new ventures in Polar exploration. It won’t be without risk, but then no full life comes without a little risk anyway. Jamie Facer-Childs (2005) is currently working as an emergency care doctor in London having graduated from Medical School in 2014 and is pursuing a career in Expedition Medicine with another exciting expedition planned to Antarctica. Here he tells us more about his adventures: “I have always been interested in how the mind and body work and what limits we can push them. This led to my biggest adventure with my friend James Thysse (2005), also from Blue Coat – we rowed across the Indian Ocean in 2009 and are still the youngest pair to have done so. It was after this I decided on a career in medicine and studied at Warwick Medical School. Throughout my studies and work I have mixed plenty of challenges travelling to various countries, Sweden, Norway, Iceland on a number of expeditions and was part of the First British Crossing of Antarctica three years ago. Life in emergency care is busy and exciting, there are different challenges every day and important decisions to be made quickly. This is not dissimilar to the challenges face on remote expeditions and, while it can be stressful times, is very rewarding when done well.” Limits 11