HittingtheWall
Jadeandherteamhadmadeitontotheplateau.Thehighaltitudemadeherdizzyandshortofbreath.Thewindwassoharsh,fivelayersofclothingbarelykepther warm.
Dailyluncheswereanightmare.Jadesatonapieceoffoamwithherbacktothewind.Shetriedtogetfrozensalami,cheese,andcrackersintohermouthwithhermittenedhands.Snowcoveredherfood.Sometimes,shejustgaveuptryingto eat.
![](/nationalgeographic/trailblazer_january_february_2019/hitting_the_wall_and_success/194819/lunch.640_0_1.jpg)
Theteamstruggledtoeatlunchinthe cold.
Thethirddayontheplateauwasalsothe27thdayofthejourney.Jadehitherpersonal“wall.”Apaininherhipnearlycrippledher.Herearswereringing.Shefeltlikethrowingup.Herfingersandtoeshadlostallfeeling.Maybeitwasalltoomuch.Shewrotealotinherjournalthatnight.Couldshegoon?Howbadlydidshewanttosucceed?Jadeknewtherewasonlyoneanswer.Shehadtomake it.
![](/nationalgeographic/trailblazer_january_february_2019/hitting_the_wall_and_success/194820/attack.960_0_1.jpg)
AsJadetrudgedforward,the icelookedreadyto attack!
![](/nationalgeographic/trailblazer_january_february_2019/hitting_the_wall_and_success/194822/flag.640_0_1.jpg)
JadeposedwiththeAustralianflagattheSouth Pole.
Success!
Truegritpaidoff.OnthemorningofJanuary10th,Jadeandherteamwoketoblueskies.Climbingaridge,theyspottedtheSouthPole station.
Aseveningcame,theyskiedintotheAmundsen‑ScottStationattheSouthPole.Afterahard37‑dayjourney,theyhadmadeit.Hereshewas,at last.
RecordsSet
InarrivingattheSouthPoleatage 16,Jade became:
theyoungestpersontoskicoast‑to‑SouthPoleunsupportedand unassisted
thefirstwoman andpartofthefirstall‑Australianteam‑ tosetanewroutefromthecoasttotheSouth Pole
theyoungestpersontoskitoboththeNorthandSouth poles
theyoungestpersontocompletethePolarHat Trick!