YOUNGEST TO POLE
[ANTARCTICA]
KAREN KYELLSO
AIMING AT JUST 21 YEARS OLD TO BE THE YOUNGEST PERSON
TO EVER REACH THE SOUTH POLE SOLO AND UNSUPPORTED.
Karen Kyllesø is the youngest person to ever be granted a permit by ALE (Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions) for a solo expedition to the South Pole. Her journey is scheduled to begin in November 2024, and at just 21, she aims to be the youngest individual to complete a solo, unsupported ski expedition to the South Pole.
Karen’s adventurous spirit showed early on. At 14, she traveled alone to Greenland to join a team of nine strangers in crossing the ice shelf - a journey of 600km. Just after her 15th birthday, she became the youngest female to complete this crossing, an experience that had a profound impact on her and inspired even greater expedition goals.
Karen, is from Norway's southwestern coast. She recently completed high school and has decided to put her studies on hold to pursue her dream.
While previous polar explorers are often older, taller, and heavier, Karen wants to prove that with careful preparation, someone like her - standing at 152 cm and weighing 48 kg - can conquer a solo South Pole expedition.
THE EXPEDITION
THE ROUTE
Karen will tackle the 1,130km Hercules Inlet route, aiming to complete it in 50 days. She’ll pull a 100kg sled, twice her body weight, carrying all her food and equipment from start to finish.
THE RECORD
Currently, the youngest person to have skied solo, unsupported to the South Pole is Matthieu Tordeuret, who was 27 years old at the time.
Karen’s expedition would break this record by six years and also set a new benchmark as the youngest female by seven years. Given the level of experience and training required, her achievement would be a significant challenge for future explorers to surpass.
THE KIT
Karen 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 and will be testing a prototype of the Titan Down Jacket arriving in winter 2025.
TRACK THE EXPEDITION
Read the Pre-Expedition Journal
