Patrick Bergel completed what his great grandfather, Sir Ernest Shackleton, started over 100 years ago by achieving the first crossing by car of the coldest & driest continent on earth, driving an Arctic Trucks modified Hyundai Santa Fe.
The 30 day expedition, facilitated by Hyundai Motor with the car conversion and expedition logistics managed by Arctic Trucks Polar, saw Patrick and a small team take on almost 5,800km of icy, inhospitable, Antarctic terrain. They not only had to cover extreme distances at temperatures down to minus 28 degrees Celsius but also plot new routes that had never been previously travelled by wheeled vehicle.
IN BRIEF
One of Antarctica’s most experienced traverse experts, Gisli Jónsson of Arctic Trucks Polar, was tasked with managing the vehicle’s preparation before the event and then leading the expedition out in the Antarctic. Gisli knows just how tough Antarctica can be - not just travelling but also existing. This was a unique expedition, crossing Antarctica - twice.
The expedition was inspired by Patrick's great grandfather's heroic Trans-Antarctic journey of 1914-17 when, having been beaten to the Pole by Roald Amundsen, Shackleton attempted to become the first person to cross the continent. His ship sank in pack ice but, as has since been well documented, the heroic explorer and five men sailed 800 miles over open, stormy sea to South Georgia, from where a successful rescue of the full complement of men could be launched.
Our thanks go to Hyundai for their support of Patrick's successful ambition. We were only too glad to be able to assist with the creation of this special vehicle and also supply full logistical and personnel support to the expedition in Antarctica.
