SOLO
TO THE
SOUTH POLE
THE FIRST AMERICAN WOMAN
On January 18, 2026, I became the first American woman to ski solo & unsupported to the South Pole.
700 miles. 57 days. Alone on the ice.
No guides, no resupplies, and no shortcuts — just me, a 250-pound sled, and 700 miles of wind-scoured ice.
Over 57 days, I faced whiteouts, ferocious winds and temperatures down to -40F/C to complete the goal I’d been dreaming of for three years.
I’d spent the past three years training for this moment, pulling tires wherever I was in the world.
“People have skied this much faster than 57 days. But because I did it at my own speed, I was still able to accomplish something that I can proudly say is truly extraordinary, just because I took it one step at a time.”
I was inspired by the women who went before me. When I first started training, I wasn’t sure I’d ever go through with it. I didn’t feel extreme enough. Or strong enough. Or enough, period.
But step by step, tire drag by tire drag, I kept going. And now that I’ve achieved what felt impossible, I can see it clearly: I get to be another link in the chain of inspiration. That’s why I’m shouting this from the rooftops — because someone out there needs to see what it looks like when an ordinary person decides to do something extraordinary.
This isn’t just about skiing to the South Pole. It’s about showing up scared and doing it anyway.
I’m not a professional athlete, I’m just a normal-ish person who decided to take on a really, really big goal.
Only 16 women in history had completed this feat. None of them had been American. Representation in exploration matters — not just for record books, but for the stories we tell ourselves about who belongs in extreme environments.
Want to hear the full story?
Talking about reaching big goals is one of my favorites things to do. Whether you have a group of students, employees, business leaders or a local club—I’d love to come share my story.
Email me to inquire about my availability.