A 19-year-old sophomore at Yale University in the U.S. plans to trek to Antarctica.
Xinhua News Agency reports that Parker Liautaud (pictured above), a 19-year-old sophomore from the United States, intends to trek from the Antarctic coast to the South Pole in 22 days to set a new record, while also aiming to raise awareness about climate change.
Liautaud will be joined by veteran explorer Douglas Stoup, and the pair plan to depart on December 3rd, aiming to conquer Antarctica within 22 days. According to the plan, Liautaud and Stoup will start walking from the Ross Ice Shelf on the northwestern coast of Antarctica, then switch to skiing once they reach the Leverett Glacier.
At the same time, Liautaud plans to have a satellite-equipped truck follow behind to live broadcast this “Antarctic trek.” During the journey, the people in the vehicle will only be responsible for filming and will not provide him with any support.
Liautaud was born in California, U.S., and moved to the United Kingdom when he was 9 years old. He is currently a sophomore majoring in geology at Yale University in the United States.
So far, he has embarked on three expeditions to the Arctic. In 2009, at just 14 years old, he traveled to the North Pole with British polar explorer Robert Swan, completing his first polar journey.
This trip to Antarctica is full of challenges. Liautaud will need to cross the Transantarctic Mountains, travel in temperatures as low as minus 60 degrees Celsius, and may even experience snow blindness.