In November 2000 Miles then set a world record as the first
blind person to man-haul a sledge over 400 kilometres across
Antarctica. Frostbite prevented him from continuing his
amazing bid to be the first blind person to reach the South Pole.
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Plane arrival
It is a six hour flight from Puntas Arenas in Chile to the blue ice runway at Patriot Hills on
Antarctica. Landing in the Russian Illuysian transport plane was a fantastic adventure in itself.
Miles and Jon
Just being in Antarctica was a dream come true for Miles and Jon. They shared huge excitement about the journey they were about to undertake together.
Learning to ski
Miles had never skied before landing on Antarctica, so he and Jon used the first couple of days at base camp to learn.
Sledging
Ten hours of sledge pulling each day averaged in just ten miles of progress towards the Pole.
When the wind was not too severe, Miles was "guided" by the sound of Jon's sled nearby.
Making Camp
At the end of each day it would take over an hour to pitch the tent and make camp. Miles
and Jon soon managed to establish an efficient routine around the camp.
Lonely Vigil
Miles was finally beaten by frostbite after making good progress for a month across Antarctica. It was
a long four days for him as the team waited for the plane to take him back to base camp.
Plane departing
A twin Otter plane finally arrived to evacuate Miles, leaving Jon, Doug and
Damien to continue for another month to the South Pole.
Jon at Pole
After 62 days after setting off from the coast of Antarctica Jon finally reached the Amundsen Scott research station at the South Pole where the flag of the Royal National
Institute for the Blind was raised in honour of Miles' adventure.
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