Bottomlessicepitsunderthinlayersofsnow.Sharpiceridges,likefrozenwavesacrosstheland.Howlingwinds.Blowingice crystals.
JadeHameisterknewher SouthPolejourneywouldbehard.Butsheneverimagineditwouldbethishard.Shebentintothewind.Shestrainedtopulltheheavysledstrappedtoherwaist.Allshecoulddowasputoneskiinfrontoftheother—onesmallstepata time.
![](/nationalgeographic/trailblazer_january_february_2019/forging_a_path/194570/wind.640_0_1.jpg)
Jadehauledherheavysledintostrong winds.
Jade'sbreathfrozeonher face mask.
![](/nationalgeographic/trailblazer_january_february_2019/forging_a_path/194567/mask.640_0_1.jpg)
![](/nationalgeographic/trailblazer_january_february_2019/forging_a_path/194568/sled.640_0_1.jpg)
Jadestruggledtodraghersledoverthe ice.
ForgingaPath
JadehadalreadycompletedtwopartsofthePolarHatTrick.ShehadskiedtotheNorthPoleandacrossGreenland.ThisSouthPoleadventurewouldbethefinalchallenge.HardlyanyonehadtriedtodowhatJadewastryingnow.Andshewasonly 16.
Jade’steamwouldtravel,usingtheirownmusclepower.Nosleddogs.Novehicles.Nosupplieswouldbeairliftedtothem.Everythingtheyneededfortheestimated40dayshadtobeloadedontosledsandhauled.Eachsledhadfood,clothing,andequipment.Eachsledweighedmorethan
80kilograms(176 pounds).
Tothis,Jadeandherteamaddedonemorechallenge.TheywantedtotakeanewroutetotheSouthPole.Theystudiedmapsandfoundacoast‑to-poleroute.Noonehadevertakenit.Itwouldgothroughsteepterrain.They’dskiacrossglaciersandthrough mountains.
Theteamhadtocarry everythingthey needed.