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Explicit and Implicit Information Article

British polar explorer Ben Saunders attempted to cross Antarctica alone but had to abandon his journey due to exhaustion and a lack of food. He set out to travel over 1,000 miles across Antarctica on foot to honor his late friend, but called for help after reaching the South Pole with only 13 days of food remaining for what was estimated to be a 17-day journey. While in good physical condition, Saunders acknowledged the risks were too high to continue and decided to wait at the South Pole research station for a flight back due to the inhospitable conditions.

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116 views

Explicit and Implicit Information Article

British polar explorer Ben Saunders attempted to cross Antarctica alone but had to abandon his journey due to exhaustion and a lack of food. He set out to travel over 1,000 miles across Antarctica on foot to honor his late friend, but called for help after reaching the South Pole with only 13 days of food remaining for what was estimated to be a 17-day journey. While in good physical condition, Saunders acknowledged the risks were too high to continue and decided to wait at the South Pole research station for a flight back due to the inhospitable conditions.

Uploaded by

Timz ..
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Non-Fiction Reading

Explicit and Implicit Information Article


British Adventurer Defeated by Solitary Antarctic Trek
An attempt to cross Antarctica has had to of the Antarctic continent last year. Worsley
be abandoned as British polar explorer Ben called for help after being struck down by
Saunders risked running out of food. exhaustion after over 900 miles, just 30 miles
from the end of his trek. He was airlifted to
Saunders, 40, set out to travel more than 1,000 a hospital in Chile, where he died despite the
miles on foot across the Antarctic continent, efforts of doctors to save him.
but was forced to end the trip after reaching
the South Pole with only 13 days’ worth of “I made a promise to Henry to get home in
food remaining. The remainder of the trip one piece,” Saunders said. “As much as I am
was estimated to last at least 17 days, with the determined to finish this trip for him, I need
inhospitable terrain and ferocious conditions to make my decision based on safety and not
likely to make rescue impossible. let my own determination cloud my judgment.

“I made a promise to Henry to get home in “I don’t think Henry would be telling me to go
one piece” said Saunders. for it given my concerns about the diminished
safety margin. It feels like the most respectful
Saunders launched the expedition to honour thing I can do after Henry’s fate is to be prudent
his friend, Lieutenant Colonel Henry Worsley, and safe.”
who fell ill while attempting his own crossing

The wild Antarctic environment proved too much.

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Non-Fiction Reading Explicit and Implicit Information Article

In a blog post from the South Pole station,


Saunders expressed his disappointment at
being forced to stop the attempt despite
being in good physical condition, while
acknowledging that the risks were too high to
continue.

“This is a high-stakes, high-consequence


environment and paradoxically, one where
prudence often trumps derring-do and
bravado,” he wrote. “I’ve been both more
cautious and more fearful this year in a way
Saunders set out from his starting point I haven’t on previous expeditions. I slipped
on Berkner Island on November 11th, on a and lost my balance many times in the 450
projected route that crossed the South Pole km or so of sastrugi I encountered, and I recall
before traversing the Shackleton Glacier and the moment I suddenly imagined falling and
finally reaching the Ross Ice Shelf on the other breaking an arm or a wrist. How would I put
side of the continent. He aimed to complete my tent up? What if I fell and knocked myself
the trek in 65 days, dragging all of the out?”
supplies needed for the journey on a sled that
weighed over 130 kg at the outset. However, Although Saunders was unable to complete
his progress was slowed by poor conditions, the full crossing, he took some consolation
with temperatures plunging to -50°c and the from becoming the first Briton to reach both
ground made treacherous by sastrugi, sharp the North and South poles unassisted, and
ridges of snow formed by the impact of wind. only the third person in history to do so.
Saunders has now made 12 expeditions to the
Despite reaching the South Pole research polar regions since 2001, covering more than
station 52 days into the journey, Saunders 4,350 miles, and remains the record holder for
was unable to replenish his supplies of food the longest polar journey on foot. His latest
for the remainder of the trip owing to the rules effort raised money for the Endeavour Fund,
of unassisted record attempts. This led to his a foundation set up by the Duke and Duchess
decision to call off the expedition. He will now of Cambridge and Prince Harry to support
remain at the polar station until favourable injured military veterans.
weather conditions allow an aircraft to land
and he can begin his return journey to the UK.

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