The South Pole 2000

by Caroline Hamilton

Genres: Nonfiction

259 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2000

Reviews

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not the best polar exploration book I have read but the language used is more modern than many and it is more accessible and a faster read because of it.
It is lovely that a group of average (if you can be average when you set yourself challenges like walking to both poles) women from different walks of life set out to achieve something together and made it. Caroline does not flinch away from the yukky parts of their journeys and includes the difficulties of peeing and pooping in sub-zero temperatures. The challenges of being covered in your own pee when the wind decides not to play nice. The challenge of trying to be at all clean when all you have to wash in is snow and ice (all but 1 of them gave up). She also includes the difficulties of carrying enough tampons for 2 months for 5 women when they needed to minimise weight. On that one I have no idea why they didn't use contraceptive measures and just not have periods, or at least lighten/shorten them when so many women do that anyway. No idea if it is unsafe in those conditions but can't see why it would be except the bar.
They obviously had to get to know each other well and after helping unzip/zip each other up for the toilet that must have happened fast. The trust between them must have been huge and it would have been really hard to go back to the regular world where friendships just aren't like that. Caroline was honest that they sometimes fell out but they got over it and knew they were all just tired.
This is worth a read if you enjoy polar exploration tales and especially if you are a woman and need inspiring or if you are married/related to a woman who has an adventurous spirit so you understand the extra concerns she has to face just because of mother nature.

[Einar Jensen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book Review: I probably should have waited before reading another book about exploring Antarctica. I finished Caroline Hamilton’s South Pole 2000 but it was an average read. Hamilton and four other women skied from the Hercules Inlet to the South Pole in 60 days during the southern summer of 1999-2000.

The first half of the book actually recalled her relay journey to the North Pole. It was interesting but seemed like a distraction from the South Pole adventure. When she finally wrote about the South Pole, she provided details about each day. Frankly, the details were mundane yet overwhelming. Ultimately I didn’t catch the excitement of discovery I anticipated from this book based on stories about other polar expeditions I’ve read.

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed it! Some of it was just a bit slow but I guess there don’t a lot to write about when everyday is the same. Would have loved some more on reflections once she was home. But big bravo to caroline for getting this done.. epic vision and master of juggling

[Monique · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful story about a group of brave British women who travel to the South Pole. While reading i wished I was with them...

[Wayne Jordaan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am about to start this book about a group of intrepid women and their trek to the South Pole. I normally wait before I offer any comments on a book, but in this instance I could not help myself when I noticed that the foreword is by Charles (of Wales). How appropriate I thought, because this guy knows a thing or two about women with staying-power, or at least one.