At just 21 years old, Norwegian adventurer Karen Kyllesø has accomplished a feat of extraordinary human endurance, becoming the youngest person to ski solo and unsupported to the South Pole (female). Her historic journey, which began on November 21, 2024, and ended on January 13, 2025, solidifies her place in the annals of polar exploration.
Kyllesø, a native of Norway’s southwestern coast, completed the grueling 1,130 km (702 mi) expedition in just under 54 days. Departing from the Hercules Inlet, she navigated the vast, icy expanse of Antarctica alone, pulling a 100 kg (220 lbs) sled containing all her supplies—more than twice her body weight. The journey was a constant battle against bone-chilling temperatures that plummeted to -40°C (-40°F) and the physical toll of skiing for up to 10 hours a day.
Her achievement is the culmination of six years of meticulous planning and preparation. Kyllesø, who at 14 became the youngest woman to cross the Greenland Ice Sheet, put her education on hold to dedicate herself to the expedition. She trained rigorously, focusing on strength, endurance, and gaining weight to handle the heavy load. The mental fortitude required for such a solo trek was, she says, the biggest challenge.
“For me, the biggest inspiration is dreams and working towards them,” Kyllesø told Guinness World Records after her expedition. “That sense of accomplishment when you complete something hard—it’s a big motivator.”
Kyllesø’s feat is not just a personal victory but an inspiration for future generations of explorers. Her record, and the incredible journey that led to it, prove that with enough passion and preparation, the seemingly impossible can be achieved.
