FEATURE
British Sikh Army officer makes history with solo climb to South Pole
POLAR PREET
LIVING ON THE EDGE
C
aptain Harpreet Chandi, a 32-yearold Indian-origin British Sikh Army officer and physiotherapist also known as Polar Preet, has created history by becoming the first woman of colour to complete a solo unsupported trek to the South Pole. Chandi announced her history-making feat on her live blog at the end of Day 40 after travelling 700 miles (1,127 kilometres) while pulling a pulk or sledge with all of her kit and battling temperatures of minus 50 32
APR / MAY 2022 News With A Desi View
degrees Celsius and wind speeds of around 60mph. “I made it to the South Pole where it's 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 wrote. “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. I have been told no on many occasions and told to ‘just do the normal thing', but we create our own normal," Chandi said. She uploaded a live tracking map of her trek and also posted regular blogs of her journey to the snow-capped region. “Day 40 – Finished. Preet has just made history becoming the first woman of colour to complete a solo expedition in Antarctica,” reads the final entry of her blog. www.desitoday.ca
