British-born Sikh Preet Chandi has become the first woman of color to complete a solo expedition to the South Pole.

CNN reported that the 32-year-old army officer took 40 days to complete the 700-mile trek on January 3, after preparing for the gruelling trip for two-and-a-half years.

Chandi had embarked on the trip on November 7 last year, hoping that her adventure would inspire others to push their boundaries and defy cultural norms.

"Feeling so many emotions right now. The expedition was always about so much more than me.

"I want to encourage people to push their boundaries and believe in themselves, and I want you to be able to do it without being labeled a rebel," CNN quoted Chandi writing in a blog entry yesterday.

Chandi hauled a 90kg sled, which held her kit, fuel, and food to last for about 45 days, throughout her journey.

The army officer, nicknamed "Polar Preet" trained in the French Alps, Iceland's Langjökull Glacier, and also Greenland, to prepare for the trip. Her only point of contact with the outside world during her South Pole trip was the daily check-in with her support team, who posted updates of her journey on her blog and Instagram.

While other women had skied to the South Pole, Chandi is the first woman of color to make the solo trip, unsupported.

She did face her own set of challenges when she first committed to the mission, including from critics who told her that she does not "look like a polar explorer."

Upon her return from the South Pole, Chandi plans to set up an "adventure grant" for women, using half the money raised through the Go Fund Me appeal for her polar trip, said the report.

It will be open to women of any age or background, and for any advneture that would push boundaries.

"It doesn't have to be a polar expedition. And I really hope that this is something that will continue, year after year after year."

Kudos Chandi. A very impressive indeed.

She has proven that women can indeed achieve anything, as long as they put their mind and heart into it.


Source: CNN
Photo source: CNN, Twitter