Jadeandherteamhadmadeitontothehighplateau.Nowthegoinggoteventougher.Thehighaltitudemadeherdizzyandshortofbreath.Temperatureswereso cold— -50°C(-58°F)—andthewindsoharsh,thatevenafacemaskandfivelayersofclothingbarelykeptherwarmwhenshewas moving.

That’snotall.Dailyluncheswereanightmare.Jadesatonapieceoffoamwithherbacktothewindandtriedtogetfrozensalami,cheese,andcrackersintohermouthwithherhugemittenedhands.Snowcoveredherclothesandfood.Sometimesshejustgaveuptryingtoeatanythingatall.Afterlunch,ittookahalfhourofhardskiingandalotofarmflappingtoevenbegintowarmup again.

Thethirddayontheplateau—the27thdayofthejourney—Jadehitherpersonal“wall.”Astabbingpaininherhipnearlycrippledher.Herearswereringing,andshefeltlikethrowingup.Herfingersandtoeshadlostallfeeling.Snowhadgottendowninsideherbootsandclothes,chillinghertothe bone.

Thatevening,Jadecollapsedinhertent,intears.Maybeitwastoomuch.Maybethefreezingcoldandtheblastingwind,theheavy-as-leadsled,andtheendlesskilometersoffrozenridgeswoulddefeat her.

Shespenthourswritinginherjournalthatnight.Thiswashermomentofdecision.Couldshegoon?Howbadlydidshewanttosucceed?Jadeknewinherhearttherewasonlyoneanswertothatquestion.Shehadtomakeit.Thenextday,Jadezippedupherparka,strappedonherskis,andforgedahead.Shelatersaidthatonceshegotwarmskiing,sheforgothowmuchpainshehadbeen in.

Truegritpaidoff.OnthemorningofJanuary10th,2018,Jadeandherteamwoketoblueskiesandbrightsunshine.Climbingaridge,theyspottedtheSouthPolestation—atinyblacklineonthehorizon.Jadecouldhardlybelievetheywerealmostthere!Atlast,aseveningcame,theyskiedintotheAmundsen‑ScottStationattheSouthPole.Afteranepic 
37‑dayjourney,theyhadmade it.

Thevictorywashard‑won.ButJadehadnevergivenup.Shehadpushedthroughbrutalcold,hunger,pain,anddespair.Andhereshewas,at last.