Inspiring Explorers Expedition™: South Pole 2022
A firefighter and medical first responder for Auckland Airport Emergency Services, Laura Andrews never dreamed that skiing to the South Pole was within her grasp.
“I was really worried I wouldn’t be strong enough, or fast enough. I was just your normal not-so-sporty girl from sub-tropical Northland,” she said.
However, Laura’s time as a member of the Inspiring Explorers Expedition™ South Pole team taught her that strength is not only physical but also mental and emotional. “Strength is hugely influenced by your team spirit. We were successful because even though we were strong individuals, we were an even stronger team. We went from strangers across the world to a team that thrived together by talking and learning about each other’s strengths and weaknesses. We lifted each other up,” she said.
Laura grew up loving the outdoors and thrives on challenging her physical and mental boundaries. She has previously spent three months walking solo along New Zealand’s South Island, cycled the length of the country along the Tour Aotearoa route, and participated in endurance, adventure, and Ironman races in New Zealand and firefighter stair climbs internationally.
Taking on the expedition to reach the South Pole saw life on the Ice go back to basics. “There is a certain beauty in living life in its purest form. Stripped away from the hustle and bustle of life, disconnected from the world and any external obligations. Our mission was really simple – survive each day and ski South. We were back to basics, set up shelter, boil water, fuel yourself, get enough sleep, and repeat,” Laura said.
As she skied 920km to the South Pole, Laura reflected on the differences between her journey and those of early explorers like Roald Amundsen, who was the first ever to reach the South Pole.
“While Amundsen had dogs, we had man power. While Amundsen set out into the unknown, we had GPS, satellite and radar technology. I like to think that our journey was the closest we could get to understanding what those early explorers experienced. We still had to work hard, to navigate using the sun and the wind and to have the perseverance to endure 50 days in the elements. 111 years apart we both experienced awe and wonder, physical exertion but soulful elation.”
Laura, who was one of three Inspiring Explorers, along with ex-Olympic kayaker, Mike Dawson and Marthe Brendefur, developed close connections with each of the expedition members, who she says all brought their own experiences and strengths to the team that helped made their journey successful.
“Mike brought years of high performance sport tricks and tools to help build a positive team culture. He made us all feel like Olympians. Our Polar Guide, Bengt Rotmo, was a world of wisdom to us. He made sure that we could stand on our own and survive on our own. Nigel Watson led the team with an ever-present reminder of the heroes who had come before us, he looked after us and kept us in stitches with jokes. As for Marthe, if you can share a two-man tent with somebody for 50 days and still be friends that says a lot about the kind of friendship you have forged. She was my polar sister.”
Laura attributes their success in reaching the South Pole to this amazing team spirit that carried them through the highs and lows of the most challenging expedition Antarctic Heritage Trust has led to date.
The experience taught her that it is more about what you learn on the journey than arriving at the destination. “We found joy and gratitude in every moment, in the environment around us, and in the people we were with,” said Laura.
Currently serving as a Governance Intern for Antarctic Heritage Trust, Laura was a member of the Trust’s Inspiring Explorers Expedition™ South Pole team.
“We found joy and gratitude in every moment, in the environment around us, and in the people we were with.”
