Karen Kylleso, a 21-year-old Norwegian, has become the youngest person to ski solo and unassisted to the South Pole, completing the arduous journey 114 years after her compatriot, Roald Amundsen, first conquered the icy terrain. Kylleso covered an astonishing 1,130 kilometers (702 miles) over 54 days, arriving at the South Pole on Monday evening in temperatures as low as -25°C (-13°F).
Born on May 9, 2003, Kylleso dethroned France’s Pierre Hedan, who previously held the Guinness World Record at age 26. “It’s both fantastic and a bit strange,” she told Norway’s TV2. “I feel a sense of accomplishment, but it’s bizarre to leave the bubble I’ve been in for two months.”
The journey
Standing at just 1.52 meters (5 feet) and weighing 48 kilograms (106 pounds), Kylleso faced a monumental challenge, pulling a sled twice her weight—100 kilograms (220 pounds)—across the unforgiving Antarctic wilderness. Though she trained for six years for the feat, she admitted to slowing her pace near the end due to what she believes was cold-induced asthma.
Once she reached the South Pole, Kylleso requested a celebratory meal of pasta Bolognese, salad, vegetables, soda, and champagne. However, she expressed disappointment upon arriving at the US Amundsen-Scott research station, saying, “After 54 days of beautiful nature, you arrive, and there are buildings and machines. It just looks really out of place here.”
Polar legacy and mentorship
Kylleso’s journey builds on her impressive resume as a polar adventurer. At just 15, she became the youngest girl to cross Greenland on skis.
Her mentor, Norwegian adventurer Lars Ebbesen, described her South Pole achievement as “a page written in polar history,” recalling her determination when she first asked if the South Pole was within her reach.
Her father, Hakon Kylleso, attributed her accomplishments to “a mix of good genes,” crediting her mother’s background in cross-country skiing and his own love for nature and long hikes.
A historic Norwegian tradition
Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store lauded Kylleso, saying she was “following in the trails of Norwegian polar heroes.” On December 14, 1911, Roald Amundsen became the first person to reach the geographic South Pole, famously beating Britain’s Robert Scott, who perished along with his team on their return journey.
A new chapter in polar exploration
Despite finding the South Pole station underwhelming, Kylleso’s achievement cements her place in the annals of exploration. As she celebrates her historic journey, the young adventurer continues to inspire with her resilience, determination, and commitment to pushing boundaries in polar exploration.
