South Pole solo

From an early age I’ve been fascinated with the polar regions. I recall being inspired by David Attenborough’s documentaries as a boy (amazingly when I left Australia, Attenborough’s latest Antarctic documentaries continued to ‘wow’ audiences).

As a teenager and in my early 20′s I remember being enthralled reading the journals of Scott, Amundsen, Shackleton and Mawson.

But for me, watching documentaries and reading books is not enough.

My adventure instinct is a powerful force in my being. It fuels an adventurous spirit that has taken me to some of the most extraordinary and beautiful places on mother earth. It drives a powerful desire to explore, and a burning curiosity to personally experience many of the places and past adventures I read about.

Modern equipment and communications provide greater comfort and safety compared to our forefathers. However thankfully Antarctica remains pristine and unspoilt. South Pole Solo will allow me to experience the beauty, isolation and extremes that only the coldest,windiest and most inhospitable place on earth can deliver.

It was a tantalising morsel and a long held dream that my adventure instinct couldn’t resist , but it remains in conflict with a more powerful beast.

My adventure instinct is strong….but it is nowhere near as strong or as important to me as my family instinct.

If that is the case, then why decide to over-ride my family instinct and go on my personal (re selfish) adventure?

I will try and expand on this dilemma in future blogs, although the answers are long and complicated. Regardless, I also understand my explanations will not satisfy everyone.

But if I can summarise the key decider- I remain extremely confident that my planning, risk management, decision making and experience will soon see me return safely and in good health to Nicole, Chloe, Harry and Mitchell. And in the process, it will make me be a better dad in the long term.

It was easier to answer ‘why?’ when I was single and the adventure instinct reigned supreme, however now such decisions still leave me exhilarated…but smothered in guilt.

Following ones dreams have never been harder.

Mark ‘Georgie’ George.