THE MOLAR EXPLORER
[ANTARCTICA]
CAT BURFORD
FROM POLAR NOVICE TO SOLO-TO-POLE VIA SHACKLETON CHALLENGES.
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the first woman to ski solo and unsupported to the South Pole. To date, only 12 women have succeeded on such an expedition. In November, Cat Burford will commemorate this milestone by following the route of that inaugural journey, skiing the 704 miles from the edge of the Antarctic continent to the South Pole.
Cat began her journey toward her dream of a solo, unsupported expedition to the South Pole back in 2021 when she joined the first ever Shackleton Finse Polar Skills Challenge.
Adventure has always been a part of her life, and her fascination with Antarctica began during an inspiring geography lesson in 1995. A dentist in Cornwall, Cat focuses on NHS orthodontic treatment during the week and provides emergency dental services on Fridays and some weekends. She also teaches expedition dentistry as part of the faculty for World Extreme Medicine. Cat loves the variety in her work—a passion she’s held since a biking accident at age 10, when a broken tooth and the return of her smile shaped her career choice.
Cat is dedicated to using this expedition to raise funds for two charities close to her heart, both of which profoundly impact the lives of those in need.
THE EXPEDITION
THE ROUTE
The journey will take 50 days, skiing uphill to an altitude of nearly 3,000 meters. She will face temperatures as low as minus 50 degrees Celsius and wind speeds of up to 60 mph, while pulling all of her food, fuel, and equipment, totaling around 85 kg, behind her.
THE TRAINING
Over the past three years, Cat has moved from her first steps on expedition skis to preparing for extreme solo challenges. Her training began in Finse, Norway, with the Finse Polar Skills Challenge with Shackleton. Back in Cornwall, she undertook rigorous training, from dragging tires on coastal paths for endurance to completing navigation, glacier travel, and rescue courses in Chamonix.
In August 2023, Cat achieved a major milestone by joining a team to cross Greenland, tracing Fridtjof Nansen's route over 39 challenging days, which solidified her confidence. Her final phase of preparation was a two-week solo expedition in Norway in April 2024.
THE KIT
Cat will be equipped for the expedition in the world's first women's specific pulk suit, the CHALLENGER Expedition Pulk Jacket and Salopettes. She will use the Ross Down Gilet for additional warmth.
TRACK THE EXPEDITION
Read the Pre-Expedition Interview
