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The Thornewills Solo and together to the South Pole
09:05 a.m. EDT Oct 9, 2003
British couple and adventurers Mike and Fiona Thornewill are just a few short weeks from starting on their respective South Pole expeditions. Mike will be leading a group folks from the 86th parallel to the SP and Fiona will be going solo and unsupported the whole way. The duo has already been to both the North and South Poles together (with support), so they’ve got the experience.
If Fiona makes it, she’ll be only the third woman to have ever reached the South Pole unsupported, and the second to do so solo and usupported. Also, if everything goes to plan, Mike will hopefully be at the Pole to greet Fiona on her arrival. ExplorersWeb caught up with Mike and Fi as they are now in the final stages of preparations:
ExWeb: Fiona, why did you decide to go back and do the South Pole again?
Fiona: It goes back to when my first husband Bill, was killed in a road accident. He was only 26 and it was devastating to me. Back then, I had a choice; to be negative or do something positive. Bill was cheated of his life and so I felt I owed it to him to make the most of mine. Ever since then I've always taken avenues that lead me forward not backward, culminating in reaching the South Pole back in 2000 with Mike. (It was his lifetime dream to do this - not mine).
Actually, just after, I remember Catharine Hartley saying to me, “Fi why don't you do it solo?” I told her what I thought to the idea! To be honest, I always believed it was a journey too far for me, but Paul Landry taught me a lot when we went to the North Pole in ’01, which helped my confidence and ability. This journey was so amazingly beautiful and personally rewarding. I just loved it.
Then slowly I started to feel the need to do something major for myself, something that was down to me and me alone.
I love physical challenges and wilderness environments - so in a way going solo became a natural direction. This journey is about me doing something difficult where no one holds my hand and I have only myself to turn to.
ExWeb:We understand that you both have full-time jobs, how has that effected your training and preparations for the trip - and how can you manage taking so much time off?
Fiona: Training is a big problem because like Mike I work long hours. All I can do is get up at 5.15 am and train before work. It means I can't be late to bed either. I get very tired, but at least Mike deals with the fundraising and planning, (of both trips) allowing me to focus on the practicalities of the journey itself. We're a great team and fortunately my employers - Harper Recruitment in Nottingham are brilliant too - again allowing me time off with out pay. Respect.
ExWeb: Mike, on your guided trip you had mentioned that 'period' clothing is going to be worn – the type of outfits that were used back in the day. Is the whole expedition going to be like that or just for some testing to see what it was like?
Mike Thornewill: We were hoping that Burberry might provide us with period clothing to give my team a taste of the early pioneers, but I don't see it happening at this late stage. A pity.
ExWeb:You still have one spot left on that trip, how qualified do folks have to be to sign up, and how involved will it be?
Mike: I don't need people to have any experience whatsoever. As long as they are fit I will teach them all they need to know - and provide their equipment. I want team players with enthusiasm - perhaps people who think this journey is beyond them - which it is not.
Within reason age is no barrier either - though cash might be - even though it's not for profit. By the way, I've have extended the trip. We're aiming to begin at 'Lewis Nunatuk' c. 86S.
ExWeb:Do the two of you have any plans to do another expedition together in the future again, side by side?
Fiona: I'd like to do a sailing trip, a big one, but that's for the future.
Mike: We are doing the last 100 miles to North Pole in 05 and have filled all places. The Arctic is so beautiful I'm really looking forward to going back. Every trip takes you where people have never been before - so it's really exciting. If I get more applicants - I may run two trips. We seem to have acquired a soft spot for cold climate travel - no insects!
Exweb:What are your feelings about the British press and how they are reacting to idea that you and Rosie will be doing very similar expeditions? They have a bit of a reputation for blowing things up.
Fiona: I knew this would end up being topical. But I do not view this as a race: This challenge is about 'me.' It's about 'me' and the 'environment.' It is not about racing Rosie. I expect the press will make a race of it when they wake up to what we're doing - but I will not be pressured into racing anyone - Finishing is succeeding - simple as that.
Mike: Dealing with the British press is quite challenging because you never quite know what angle they will take. Personally I see this as an inspirational news story, but so far we havn't managed to secure a national newspaper article. It's strange.
ExWeb: How are things coming together towards the end - you'll both be leaving in just a few short weeks?
Mike: The truth is; we're struggling right now - to find the last funding and it's stealing valuable preparation time. But we will be there. We are positive people.
ExWeb:How has the recent shake-up in Antarctic air travel effected your expeditions?
Mike: I'd say! But ALE seem to have taken over in much the same vein as ANI. Their planning seems excellent considering the time scale they had to put things in place. But yes, we lost considerable momentum with the uncertainties that accompanied it.
ExWeb:What are your biggest concerns going into your respective expeditions?
Mike: Waiting for my team members to pay up!
Fiona: Finding more cash and waiting for the last items of equipment. Afterwards, it'll be navigation, crevasses, tent fire or the tent blowing away.
ExWeb: Well thanks a lot for your time guys, is there anything else you’d like to say before we let you go?
Mike: You can follow us at www.polarchallenge.org
Fiona: Yes, sometimes doing this trip excites me - and other times it intimidates me. But in facing this challenge I want to encourage people everywhere not to be scared of taking bold steps and reaching for their own life goals. As I tell myself: - Feel the fear and do it anyway.
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