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British Army’s Ice Maiden team becomes first all-female team to cross Antarctica using muscle power alone

The British Army’s Ice Maiden team has become the first all-female team to cross Antarctica using muscle power alone.  
The British Army’s Ice Maiden team has become the first all-female team to cross Antarctica using muscle power alone.

The British Army’s Ice Maiden team has become the first all-female team to cross Antarctica using muscle power alone.

Enduring 62 days on the ice and travelling up to 43km a day, the six soldiers finally crossed the finishing line yesterday. 

The feat saw the women battling temperatures as low as -40C and navigating crevasse fields whilst pulling sledges weighing up to 80kg.

On finishing, team leader Major Nics Wetherill said there had been "good times and bad" and was "incredibly proud" of their achievement.

“I can’t believe how far we’ve come," she said.

Ice Maidens
The eight women had to battle temperatures as low as -40C.

"This journey has had good times, bad times and great times for all concerned, and each of them, I know, has made us better people.

“I now know my five companions so well as to be able to almost tell just from the back of their heads whether they are smiling or crying."   

Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said: "I want to congratulate the heroic Ice Maidens on their formidable and trailblazing trek across Antarctica. They are an inspiration to us all and are role models to young people across the country.

"They truly demonstrate why the British Armed Forces are the best in the world, and show that with hard work, courage, and determination anything is possible. We are immensely proud of them and what they have achieved."

The mission was the brainchild of Major Wetherill and her colleague Major Nat Taylor, both doctors in the medical corps, in a bid to inspire women of all ages and abilities. 

The only conditions for applicants were that they were serving in the Army, Regular or Reserve, and female. 

The rigorous selection process then saw the pair push 250 applicants to the limit in freezing conditions in Norway before shortlisting their team.

Ice Maidens
The rigorous selection process then saw the pair push 250 applicants to the limit in freezing conditions in Norway before shortlisting their team.

Their two month journey began on the edge of the Ross Ice Shelf last November, the team then climbed up the Transantarctic Mountains, via the Leverett Glacier, to reach the polar plateau.

When they reached the South Pole, Lance Sergeant Sophie Montagne said: “It was the middle of the night when we arrived and there was not a soul to be seen. This really added to the poignancy of the moment as the Pole was ours alone – cue a flood of tears from almost every team member. 

"As we stepped forward and touched the famous silver globe, a lifelong dream of mine had just been realised.  It’s not often you get to say that."

After a re-supply at the South Pole the team turned north-west towards Hercules Inlet. Skiing 600km across uneven ground, spending Christmas Day on the ice before reaching their final re-supply point at the base of the Thiel Mountains. 

Ice Maidens
The rigorous selection process then saw the pair push 250 applicants to the limit in freezing conditions in Norway before shortlisting their team.

From there, they descended to the Hercules Inlet and the finish line.

Captain Zanna Baker said: “There is a small part of me that wishes I could just pause time and freeze the moment, so I can truly appreciate where I am and what I have been doing. I’m so grateful to everyone who’s supported me." 

Major Nat Taylor added: “I have spent the last few days trying to imprint this beautiful landscape in my mind. We have called it home for close to two months now and I will, in a strange way, miss it a lot.

“The snow sparkles like there is a layer of pearls on the surface and everywhere you look there is beauty and stillness. The photos just don’t do it justice.”

The team are due to return to the UK in February.