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SP interview with Hannah: Expanding life by courage
Oct 15, 2004 08: 57 EST
Sun has arrived Antarctica and the ice of Gondwanaland is sparkling with diamond dust. The blue, purple, red and green shimmer will soon struck the lucky few 2004 South Pole explorers with awe.
But they don't really care at this point. The to-do lists are endless while the flight to Southern Chile won't wait.
From New York City, team ExplorersWeb is ready to follow their tracks on the frozen continent. One of our editors, who never set her own foot on the ice (the rest of us were too involved), made a fresh five-question mini-interview and sent out to the Antarctic explorers.
First up is Hannah McKeand:
1. - First of all, let’s be honest, guys. Polar expeditions are beyond suffering. Plus, media don't know much about hem. You’ll probably come back as unknown as you were before… but thinner and poorer. So … Why on Earth are you going there? WARNING: If you answer ‘Why not?´ or ´Because its there´, this question will be published as ‘Not answered’ -:)
Well, for the last four years I’ve been traveling to the middle of the second biggest wilderness on the planet, the Western Desert. You can’t do that for long before your mind starts wandering towards whatever is the biggest wilderness on the planet, and that’s the Antarctic.
It’s a very special feeling that you get when you remove yourself utterly from all things familiar, after a while you find that you are no longer defined as a person by the people and the things and the issues of life in the inhabited world, and as a result of your removal from them, you begin to learn, for the first time, who you really are.
So, yes, it’s all about self discovery for me and, in the words of Anais Din…“Life shrinks or expands in direct proportion to one’s courage”
2. - Tell us how you have been training
I’ve been going to the gym every day for strength development and running or dragging tires for my endurance fitness. I’m pretty fit, but I’ve been dogged by injury over the past 6 weeks, so I’m concerned that I have lost my edge.
It could be a tough first couple of weeks for me. Mentally I feel prepared, I love isolation, I thrive on it, and I have a great team of people with me, I know we will get each other through.
3. - What do you fear most about the expedition?
a) Dying
b) Failing
c) Going desperate or loosing your mind before even reaching the middle point.
d) Realizing that the experience doesn’t fill your expectations
e) Coming back to daily life afterwards.
None of these things really. I’m more afraid of dying doing something ignoble or dull; failure isn’t going to be something that defines me, at least I’m going to have a go, if I make it that will be a bonus; no doubt we will have mad and desperate days, but we will get through them; I know the experience will exceed my expectations more than I could ever hope, I don’t know what we are going to experience, but it’s going to be big and none of us will be the same ever again.
As for daily life afterwards, well, I’m plunging straight into a rigorous training program for sailing round the world, so I don’t thing life will be too much of an anti-climax!
The thing I am afraid of is holding up my team mates and annoying them. I want to be a positive force in the group, not a burden. Also afraid my dog will have forgotten who I am after spending three months eating cake with my dad!
4. - For those going with no resupplies. In case of emergency, serious lack of fuel or gear damage… Would you ask for a resupply or would you abort the attempt?
We’re old softies! Can’t wait for that re-supply at Thiels!
5. - Have you planned this as a once-in-a-life challenge, or is it part of something even bigger
(three poles, record breaking, etc.)
Just one step in a lifetime of adventure I hope. South Pole, sail round the world, North Pole and just loving the idea that that lovely Mr Branson might take me into space one day!
One project I would really like to get off the ground soon is a thing I’m calling The Ends Of The Earth. I want to walk to the geographic centre of every continent and ask people what their thoughts are about the beginning and the end of the world; I’d then put what they say into a book, which would end up being the whole spectrum of scientific, religious, cultural, mythological and imaginary views. Be fun wouldn’t it?
But, one thing at a time I guess!
Hannah McKeand, Owen Jones, Craig Mathieson, Fiona Taylor, and Denise Martin (leader) will attempt to reach the South Pole skiing from Patriot Hills. They’ll count on a resupply at Thiels mountains. 31 years old, the UK woman has decided to drop everything, mortgage the house, and go for it. And it’s not just a one-off expedition. Hannah is embarked on a yearlong triple-threat that has already taken her to the deserts of Afghanistan. After the expedition on the Antarctic ice she will take part in a sailing race around the world.
Image of Hanna courtesy of Hanna McKeand
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