21 January 2012 – transcript of audio updates from Iain Buchan and Nzuzo Mnikathi

Iain Buchan:  We are at the South Pole after walking 19,5km today and everyone on the team is absolutely exhausted. It was a slow uphill climb that we didn’t expect. It was very tough, especially the last 4,5km. Having said that we are all elated to be here. It is the most special place on the planet. We are all so happy that we’ve finally made it. We’ve just had a chance to relax and unwind and we had a good meal at base camp. We were all really thrilled that Nzuzo was able to ski today and he did about 14km. The frostbite on his fingers and nose held up well and there’s no futher damage which is great news. He is very tired but he is very happy.

The overall trip has lasted six-and-a-half days. We were really lucky with the weather except for one day when there was a white-out and we struggled with our navigation. The rest of the time, we’ve had the most incredible weather and we’ve been told that it’s the best they’ve seen in this part of the world for many years.

Nzuzo Mnikathi:  Today has been a great day for me. Even though I really struggled, I’ve had the best day of my life skiing to the South Pole. I started off well but by half way I was really exhausted and I thought that I wasn’t going to make it but the team helped me. I’ve never had this kind of experience and I have to thank Barney, Iain, Zack, Pete and Sean Wisedale for all their help. To all the people in South Africa – you helped me make it and I just want to thank all of you.

20 January 2012 – Great day today 22km in 9 hrs… cooking. We are just 20 km away from the South Pole now… what a pleasure.

Caught a glimpse of the telescope (at the Scott Amundsen South Pole Science Station) on the way into our final camp. If the weather holds we should be there tomorrow!

Everyone is obviously super excited as you can imagine. Most importantly for the tour of the station, to use their loo and then to celebrate when we return to the way normal people live.

You’ll see from our picture that Nzuzo’s frostbite is looking much better but the good Doctor Berning continues to monitor his progress on a regular basis.

Let you know how we go. Batteries are really taking a pounding so must cut short.

Sean Wisedale for The Unlimited Child South Pole Expedition

Transcript of audio update from Iain Buchan

19 January 2012 – Conditions are proving to be very tough. When the sun is shining and the wind isn’t blowing, it’s okay. But as soon as you take your hands out of your gloves, your fingers freeze and they stay frozen for the next 20 minutes. And that’s really painful. Sean Wisedale has a bit of frostnip on the end of his nose.

It’s a really tough environment and for someone like Nzuzo, coming from a background where he has never camped before, he’s doing well and we are really proud of him. He’s chomping at the bit to get going again but it’s very dangerous. We’re just really lucky that we’ve got the back-up team to help us, otherwise we would have been in serious trouble.

Yesterday, we had a white-out for the first time and we couldn’t see where we were. Trying to navigate was difficult and we were all over the place not to mention that it was bitterly cold. Nzuzo would have gone downhill in that environment so thank goodness he wasn’t out skiing . He’s being strong. He’s being brave. Last night, he was telling us what he’s learnt some tough lessons about teamwork and taking responsibility. We mustn’t forget that this is a 19 year old who’s never been out of South Africa and never seen snow. We’re all very proud of him and he’s doing great.

17 January 2012 – Exactly 100 years ago Captain Robert Falcon Scott and his team arrived at the most Southern point on Earth, the South Pole, in their wool jerseys, leather boots, cotton under garments and waxed wind suits. Sitting ensconced in my down suit and nylon tent right now and trying to visualise what they went through is impossible. All I can say is that with the gear they had on this nippy continent they must have been men of men – the kind of men that exemplify the unlimited capabilities of the human spirit.

The temperature here is 32 degrees below zero.

The weather deteriorated today with cloud and wind occluding the radiation of our desired Sun. I am now a full Sun worshipper…right now. And if the rays come back tomorrow I will roll around in the snow naked gratefully. Promise.

Nzuzo has now been diagnosed with frostbite in three places. His toes, fingers and his nose. All cases are being managed by the good doctor Berning. The nineteen year old never knew what hit him yesterday. He has the support of our backup team, is in good spirits but is quite dazzled by the complexity of skills required to stay alive here. Just going to the loo is a half hour exercise and is carried out using a ‘Wag Bag’ in a bucket. No waste may be left here because there is very little precipitation to break it down. The upshot is that there is no better view from any other loo on Earth. The wind-textured surface extending to the horizon a whole lot more engaging than a magazine. Finishing off is a little more challenging than standard porcelain as you might imagine.

We covered just under 18 kilometres today in 8 hours. The hefty sleds held us back. The snow is soft in places and clings to the underside making for tardy progress.

Tomorrow we will attempt to cover 20km by an earlier start. Must get to sleep.

Until tomorrow

Sean Wisedale for The Unlimited Child South Pole Expedition