British-Born Sikh Army Officer Preet Chandi Does A First With Her Solo Trek To South Pole

Preet Chandi is the first woman of colour to complete a solo and unsupported expedition to the South pole. During her journey, Chandi described the challenges of her trek through a blog.

New Delhi: Preet Chandi, a British-born Sikh army officer, has made history. She has become the first woman of colour to complete a solo, unsupported expedition to the South Pole.

Chandi completed the 700-mile journey on January 3, 2022 — in 40 days — with the only contact to the outside world being a daily update with her support team for her blog and Instagram account, reported CNN.

On completion of her trek, she posted in her blog: “I made it to the South Pole where its snowing. Feeling so many emotions right now. I knew nothing about the polar world three years ago and it feels so surreal to finally be here. It was tough getting here and I want to thank everybody for their support."

She also posted a message on Instagram, sharing the "surreal" feeling.

According to the CNN report, Chandi began her journey on November 7, 2021, flying to Chile and then beginning the trek from Antarctic Hercules Inlet. The daily dispatches described her journey in the last 40 days as she battled extreme cold of up to minus 50 degrees Celsius, isolation, and wind speed of up to 60 mph. However, Chandi, who has taken the name of ‘PolarPreet’ for her expedition blog sees all of it as worth it. 

“This expedition was always about so much more than me. I want to encourage people to push their boundaries and to believe in themselves, and I want you to be able to do it without being labelled a rebel,” she reiterated on her last blog announcing the completion of her expedition. 

During her trek, Chandi carried a sled weighing 90 kgs holding kit, food, and fuel to last for almost 45 days. So, she trained herself for two and half years which included training in the French Alps, Iceland's Langjökull Glacier, Greenland, and dragging a tyre on her back in England to simulate the sled. 

Talking to CNN, Chandi emphasised that half the fund raised from her fundraiser for the trek will be set up into an ‘adventure grant’ for women to encourage women of all races and colours to embark on unique adventures.

“It can be for any adventure, any unique adventure they want to do that is pushing some kind of boundary. It doesn't have to be a polar expedition. And I really hope that this is something that will continue, year after year after year,” she said.