Jadeandherteamhadmadeitontothehighplateau.Nowthegoinggoteventougher.Thehighaltitudemadeherdizzyandshortofbreath.

Temperatureswereso cold— -50°C(-58°F)—andthewindsoharsh,thatevenaface maskandfivelayersofclothingbarelykeptherwarmwhenshewas moving.

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

Thethirddayontheplateau—the
27thdayofthejourney—Jadehitherpersonal“wall.”Astabbingpaininherhipnearlycrippledher.Herearswereringing,andshefeltlikethrowingup.Herfingersandtoeshadlostallfeeling.Snowhadgottendowninsideherbootsandclothes,chillinghertothe bone.

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

Shespenthourswritinginherjournalthatnight.Thiswashermomentofdecision.Couldshegoon?Howbadlydidshewanttosucceed? Jadeknewinherhearttherewasonlyoneanswertothatquestion.Shehadtomake it.

Thenextday,Jadezippedupherparka,strappedonherskis,andforgedahead.Shelatersaidthatonceshegotwarmskiing,sheforgothowmuchpainshehadbeen in.

Truegritpaidoff.OnthemorningofJanuary10,2018,Jadeandherteamwoketoblueskiesandbrightsunshine.Climbingaridge,theyspottedtheSouthPolestation—atinyblacklineonthehorizon.Jadecouldhardlybelievetheywerealmostthere!Atlast,aseveningcame,theyskiedintotheAmundsen‑ScottStationattheSouthPole.Afteranepic37‑dayjourney,theyhadmade it.

Thevictorywashardwon.ButJadenevergaveup.Shehadpushedthroughbrutalcold,hunger,pain,anddespair.Andhereshewas,at last.