A Scots adventurer battled Antarctic snow and -40c temperatures to reach the South Pole in an epic 700-mile solo expedition.
Ben Weber trekked for 58 days, spending the Christmas period alone by pushing himself to the limits, and endured a brutal 18-hour last day to reach the finish line.
The 41-year-old, from Carrbridge, endured white out conditions, driving snowstorms and miles of strength sapping ragged ice fields before he reached the most southern point on Earth - all in aid of Cancer Research UK in memory of his late mum Marian.
Despite developing a painful neck injury and being forced to seek medical advice, he ploughed on towards the Pole by relying on daily painkillers, pulling a 110kg sled crammed with life-saving supplies, food, fuel, and emergency equipment.
Ben, who is originally from Orkney, said: “This has been such an incredible and challenging expedition. I thought at the start - from day five, when my neck started to become painful-that I might have to give up, and it was so hard.
"The pain just wouldn’t go away, and I was getting slower and slower. While I was able to get that under control, then there were the daily challenges. The extreme cold, the whiteouts, the sastrugi and the wind; soft snow slowing things down; the climbing… going from sea level to eventually get to 2,800m.
"So to get to the Pole… it’s difficult to express how delighted I am. To get through everything, all those daily challenges, to get through the pain and the frustration… it’s hard to believe. Seeing the research base at the Pole slowly becoming larger and larger and now I am here!! So surreal! It really is fulfilling a dream. “
Ben’s grinding daily routine revolved around hauling his fully laden sled, eating 6,000+ calories and pitching his tent for overnight protection from the elements. All the while preventing frostbite to his hands, feet and face. The entire expedition has been spent to full 24 hour daylight.
He privately funded the expedition to realise a lifelong ambition. However, the shock of losing his mother Marian to cancer in 2018 made him finally decide that the time was right to undertake the challenge.
“My mother was always so incredibly supportive of me with my journeys and expeditions," Ben added. "I wish I could be able to celebrate this achievement with her. Sadly, after she passed away due to cancer four years or so ago, this is not possible, though I know she would be so proud."
His sister Lesley Weber, who lives in Gourock added: “Ben has always been keen to take on this expedition of a lifetime. Friends and family follow his daily progress with great interest and pride. We have marvelled at his absolute strength and determination. He has been through more than any of us can imagine and look forward to welcoming him home, after all we have Christmas and New Year parties to catch up on!”
Lisa Adams, Cancer Research UK spokeswoman in Scotland, said: “A huge congratulations to Ben for reaching the South Pole. We’d like to thank Ben for using the expedition as an opportunity to raise vital funds to beat cancer, a disease that affects so many.”
“Cancer Research UK has made enormous progress in the fight against the disease. However, we have only been able to do this thanks to the dedication and commitment of volunteers and supporters like Ben without whom we would not be able to fund our life-saving work. One in two of us will get cancer in our lifetime*. All of us can support the research that will beat it.”
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