Brave 21-year-old Norwegian woman becomes youngest to ski unsupported to the South Pole

An incredible young woman from Norway has made history after becoming the youngest person to ski solo, unsupported to the South Pole (female).

Karen Kyllesø was aged 21 years 249 days old upon reaching the geographic South Pole on 13 January 2025, after completing a grueling journey of over 1,130 km (702 mi) in just under 54 days. 

She set out from the Hercules Inlet on 21 November 2024, enduring freezing temperatures that dropped to -40^C (-40^F) and dragging a sled weighing 100 kg (220 lbs) – more than twice her body weight – across the frigid landscape. 

Nobody came to drop off supplies, or to tell her which direction to go – alone in the frozen expanse, she successfully reached the remote site thanks to her tremendous drive and determination.

Karen’s quest, dubbed the “Fortitude South Pole Expedition”, makes her the youngest person to complete the trek – taking the title from Frenchman Pierre Hedan, who was six years her senior at 26 years 75 days old on reaching the pole in just 48 days on 7 January 2024. In addition to claiming the overall record, she also set a new benchmark for the female record, beating then-28-year-old Hedvig Hjertaker by seven years. As Hjertaker was resupplied en route, her journey was not "unsupported" like Kyllesø's.

“For me, the biggest inspiration is dreams and working towards them,” Karen told Shackleton, “That sense of accomplishment when you complete something hard – it’s a big motivator.”

And she knows that her accomplishment means something for women around the world, who have celebrated her bravery and endurance. “It’s great to have a woman up there on that list," she added.

Many explorers, like Karen, attempt to reach the South Pole via the Hercules Inlet, a large icey region to the southwest of Antarctica. They then travel eastwards to the centre of the landmass, crossing ice shelves and sastrugi during the inhospitable trek. To make a good pace, most ski for 7-10 hours a day with giant packs of supplies on their backs, containing all the food and materials they will need to sustain themselves on such an arduous journey. 

All the gear Karen dragged on her journey

So to prepare, Karen had to up her muscle – while Polar explorers are often taller, heavier, and older, she stands at 152 cm and weighs 48 kg. 

“Actually, gaining weight has been one of the hardest parts,” Karen said before the crossing. “Since I’m smaller than the average male doing this, I need extra weight and strength to pull the same load.” The skier wanted to build up her body weight by 10%, so she could feel more ready for the journey.

“Winter was focused on expedition training, spring and summer were for endurance training – running and tire pulling – and I did some altitude training in the Alps,” she explained, before switching to strength training before the big attempt. 

Her tent and bags of gear

But she also had to work on her mental stamina, as she would be alone for the entire grueling process – “I try to focus on my inner motivation when times get hard,” she shared. “It’s important to remember why I’m doing this, rather than being motivated by external things, like trying to impress others.”

However, this wasn’t the first adventure that Karen had conquered – at 14, she joined nine strangers in Greenland to travel over 600 km (372.8 mi) to cross the ice shelf, becoming the youngest ever to finish the trek. 

She’s also completed many week-long trips, and even a three-week journey in northern Norway, in anticipation of her greatest challenge yet.

“It was on that three-week solo expedition that I learned the most,” she said. “It was my first time being alone for that long. There were a lot of things I had to handle on my own – just the feeling of being far from home for that amount of time.”

But ahead of her trip to the South Pole, she remembered feeling remarkably calm: “My past expeditions have boosted my confidence, and I think this one will have the biggest impact,” she said.

And she was right – after 53 days 22 hours 4 minutes of exhausting and rewarding labour, Karen reached the South Pole on 13 January, on a beautiful cloudless blue day. Her joy was contagious.

Calls came flooding in congratulating Karen on her achievement, including one from legendary polar explorer Liv Arnesen, who became the first woman to ski solo to the South Pole 31 years ago.

The Prime Minister of Norway, Jonas Gahr Støre, also gave her a well-deserved shout out, saying her accomplishment was a “national feat” and that he was rewriting history to follow in the tracks of some of the greatest polar explorers.

“I did it! The South Pole. 54 days alone, 1130 km. As the youngest ever solo polar explorer!” she said in a post on Instagram after crossing the finish line. “Back to reality and contact with the outside world!!” 

After the feat was completed, we’re sure Karen spent lots of time staying warm indoors, and reflecting on her incredible experience. 

“Start small,” she once said to aspiring record breakers, before her attempt. “Build your confidence gradually instead of jumping straight into something as big as the South Pole. Take small steps. I never doubted that I was going to make it.”