Karen Kyllesø’s Journey to Become the Youngest to Ski Solo to the South Pole
Karen Kyllesø, 21, is setting out to make history by becoming the youngest person to ski solo and unsupported to the South Pole, a record she hopes to break by an impressive six years. This extraordinary goal stems from her deep-rooted passion for exploration, adventure, and personal growth. Amelia Steele sat down to interview her ahead of her departure to Antarctica.
“For me, the biggest inspiration is dreams – working towards them,” Karen reflects. She credits polar explorers like Liv Arneson, the first woman to ski solo to the South Pole, as inspirational figures who fuel her ambition. “There are so many inspiring explorers out there, it’s hard to pick just a few.” Beyond the influence of other adventurers, it’s her drive to push her own limits that keeps her moving forward. “That sense of accomplishment when you complete something hard—it’s a big motivator.”
Gearing Up for the South Pole
Karen’s rigorous training has involved a series of expeditions, including an early journey to Greenland in 2018. “That was a while ago,” she says, “but it’s still relevant experience.” Her longest solo expedition so far was a challenging three-week trek in northern Norway, with additional week-long trips this year to maintain her readiness.
“It was on that three-week solo expedition that I learned the most,” she recalls. “It was my first time being alone for that long. There were a lot of things I had to handle on my own – just the feeling of being far from home for that amount of time.”
Back home, Karen has broken her training down into phases. “Winter was focused on expedition training, spring and summer were for endurance training—running and tire pulling—and I did some altitude training in the Alps,” she explains. Now, as her departure draws closer, her attention is on strength training, a critical component for the demands of skiing across Antarctica.
Overcoming Obstacles on the Journey
Gearing up for such an intense expedition hasn’t been without its challenges. “Actually, gaining weight has been one of the hardest parts,” Karen notes. “Since I’m smaller than the average male doing this, I need extra weight and strength to pull the same load.” She’s spent time building up her body weight by 10%, bringing her closer to the level of physical preparedness necessary for such a task.
She has also developed specialised equipment, including a unique pulk system (sled) designed with low-friction materials, and she helped design a lightweight, durable tent for shelter in the extreme Antarctic conditions.
Another element Karen has prepared for is the solitude she’ll experience. “I try to focus on my inner motivation when times get hard,” she shares. “It’s important to remember why I’m doing this, rather than being motivated by external things, like trying to impress others.”
The Road Ahead
With her departure approaching, Karen is remarkably calm, although she acknowledges there will be difficult moments. “I feel prepared to handle those times,” she says, though she does have some nerves about logistics and avoiding injuries during her journey. She’s most excited to experience the mental and physical impact of such an expedition. “My past expeditions have boosted my confidence, and I think this one will have the biggest impact.”
Karen believes this journey will be transformative. “It will give me more confidence and show me that every problem has a solution. I hope it inspires others to take steps toward their own big goals,” she says. Her advice to others? Start small. “Build confidence gradually instead of jumping straight to something as big as the South Pole. Take small steps.”
Aiming to break the current record would be a notable achievement for any explorer, but for Karen, it’s about much more than just that. “The record itself isn’t what motivates me, but it’s cool that I’d be breaking both the overall and female record,” she says. “It’s great to have a woman up there on that list.”
