Female adventurer sets new world record, plants Chinese flag at POI

Feng Jing, the first Chinese woman to kite ski to the South Pole in 2018, has made history again by hiking to the Southern Pole of Inaccessibility, the farthest point from all the coastlines of Antarctica, early this year－the first time anyone reached the location by foot.

On Jan 25, Feng, together with her guide and assistant, reached the POI after hiking 1,800 kilometers for 80 days. To get ready for the big moment, she has prepared for five years.

Up until now, only nine male adventurers in the world have reached the POI via kite skiing with help from the wind. The altitude of the POI is 900 meters higher than the South Pole, which makes it extremely difficult for both people and mechanical equipment.

Many people thought she would be extremely excited when she reached the POI after three months of difficult hiking in harsh natural conditions. In fact, she was calm and peaceful upon arrival.

It should be a natural reward for everyday training and preparation as Feng was not doing this due to any sudden whim. Her challenge was based on full determination and involved extensive preparation.

Feng, 38, a graduate of Peking University, had a good job and lived a comfortable life until an adventurer's book turned her life upside down, according to a report from Xinhua News Agency.

She was inspired by British climate scientist-turned-adventurer Felicity Aston, author of Call of the White: Taking the World to the South Pole, who gathered seven women skiers from around the commonwealth, some of whom were novices, to launch the most international all-female expedition to the South Pole.

"I decided to travel. So I quit my job and traveled for almost seven years around the globe," Feng said.

She was already 33 the first time she strapped on skis. In the following years, she skied in various places including Norway, New Zealand and China, keeping a single final goal in her mind－Antarctica.

After three years of physical and mental preparation, she finally felt ready for the challenge of skiing to the South Pole. So in November 2017, she set off on her expedition, and on Jan 8, 2018, she arrived at her destination after 52 days on skis.

She treated the trip as a drill for her next goal which was the POI.After arriving at South Pole, she believed that she could start preparations for her next dream challenge.

In November last year, Feng and two others on her team, started their trip to the POI.

According to Qianjiang Evening News, Feng got up at 5 am every day and hiked around 20 km for ten hours. She rested 10 minutes every two hours.

When she recalled her memories during the expedition, she said she injured her thumb on Nov 24, which affected her ability to hold a walking stick and pitch tents.

Her lips and chin were terribly chapped and bleeding as well.

"Despite these setbacks, I decided to keep on going," she said. "After a week of windy days, the wind stopped and everything went on smoothly."

There is never a shortcut on a polar expedition. The only way is to keep putting one foot in front of the other. Believe in every step, believe in every meter, she said.

On Jan 25, she slowed down her pace when she confirmed that she was 8 km from the POI.

"It felt like the dream was coming true step by step. I have been imagining the final path to the destination for five years."

She inserted the Chinese national flag at the POI after arriving.

Almost five months have passed since Feng reached the POI. At present, she stays at home in Beijing and writes down her experiences, believing they can inspire others in some way.