The South Pole, which Jarle Andhoey hopes to reach by ATV. Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Antarctica is among the most dangerous places on the planet; that may be why the icy continent seems to draw adventurers in droves. Last month, Felicity Aston became the first woman to trek across Antarctica solo, and now another thrill-seeker is headed south. Unlike Aston, Jarle Andhoey has no authorization to attempt his journey to the South Pole. But so far, he’s eluded attempts to try to stop him.
Andhoey set sail from Auckland, New Zealand last week, prompting an aerial search by customs officers, who had been alerted to his departure. By the time his ship, the Nilaya, was located, it was in international waters, beyond the reach of the authorities.
This is not Andhoey’s first trip to Antarctica; a journey he made last year is the main reason the authorities refused to authorize the new excursion. Last February, he was trying to reach the South Pole by ATV when his support boat, the Berserk, sank, killing the three men on board. Andhoey was accused of breaching safety protocols, not to mention the fact that the trip itself was illegal. He was fined 25,000 kroner (about $4,300) upon his return to Norway. The main concern is that another rescue mission like the unsuccessful one for the Berserk would put more lives in danger.
Now it is believed that Andhoey wants to finish the ATV trip to the South Pole he abandoned a year ago, as well as visit the spot where the Berserk was last seen and discover what led to the death of his companions. But unlike Aston, who live tweeted her journey, Andhoey is keeping his location and progress a guarded secret.
If he makes it back alive, he’s going to be in a lot more trouble, having traveled to Antarctica without proper permission. He also entered New Zealand illegally, as he didn’t declare that he had previously been deported from Canada, and he left illegally as well.
Tags: Adventure, Adventure Activities
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