Captain Harpreet Chandi becomes first Indian-origin woman to trek solo to South Pole

• Image Credit: Internet

• Jan 4, 2022 | moderator

Digital Desk: Captain Harpreet Chandi, an Indian-origin British Sikh Army officer, created history with her solo trek. Harpreet Chandi, known as Polar Preet, becomes the first India-origin woman to complete a solo trek to the South Pole.

On Monday, Chandi informed her history-making accomplishment on her live blog at the end of Day 40 after traversing 700 miles (1,127 kilometers) while dragging a pulk or sled with all of her equipment and fighting temperatures of minus 50 degrees Celsius and wind rates of around 60mph.

"I made it to the South Pole where it's snowing—feeling so many emotions right now. I knew nothing about the polar world three years ago, and it feels so surreal to be here finally. It was tough getting here, and I want to thank everybody for their support," she noted.

"This expedition was always about so much more than me. I want to encourage people to push their boundaries. I want people to believe in themselves. Also, I want you to be able to do it without being labeled a rebel. I was said no and asked to 'just do the normal thing.' However, we create our own normal," Chandi added.

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Chandi uploaded the live tracking map of her trek and posted routine blogs of the snow-capped trekking region.

The final entry of her blog read, "Day 40 – Finished. Preet has just made history becoming the first woman of color to complete a solo expedition in Antarctica."

Chandi also stated that you are always capable of doing what you intend to do. Everybody starts somewhere, no matter where you are from or where your start line is. She doesn't want to break the glass ceiling; she wants to smash it into millions of pieces.

As part of a Medical Regiment in the northwest of England, Chandi's direct role is to manage and validate apprenticeship for physicians in the Army as Clinical Training Officer.

Interestingly, Chandi shared that she was thinking and planning about her wedding during her trekking trip. She was engaged to Army reservist fiance David Jarman before setting off her journey.