Explorer Matthieu Tordeur and glaciologist Dr. Heïdi Sevestre have successfully completed their scientific expedition of mapping the subsurface of Antarctica after nearly three months. They travelled from the Novo airbase in the north to Hercules Inlet in the west over 80 days, covering 2,700 km on kite‑skis, facing extreme conditions, sometimes up to -50C, until the very last day.
Their journey was marked by several unforgettable milestones: passing through the Southern Pole of Inaccessibility, the Geographic South Pole and Thiel Corner, one of the most remote places on the planet. The groundbreaking scientific project aimed at better understanding the impact of Antarctic ice on the global climate, and it was the first French crossing of Antarctica’s interior by kite-ski and the first kite-ski expedition dedicated to polar science.
“We arrived on 21 January at Hercules Inlet on the Antarctic coast. The final kilometers were particularly demanding: with absolutely no wind, we had to pack away our kites and pull our sleds solely with the strength of our legs” wrote Matthieu and Heïdi. Exhausted but in good health, they underwent a medical check‑up at Union Glacier and are now rediscovering the simple pleasures of returning to “normal” life: a hot shower, a warm meal, and a few familiar faces.
Find out more here: https://www.underantarctica.com/en
