NOT CONTENT with being the first ever Cypriot to visit the Antarctic, Stephanie Solomonides, has also introduced the islands’ passion for putting lemon on all her food to the icy continent.
Of course, since the epic 900 Kilometre march from Patriot Hills to the South pole began, on December 13, there has been little in the way of fresh fruit and vegetables, and so the team has had to become resourceful.
The eight-woman team’s latest expedition blog entry begins “I think they’ve had a tough one today and Steph (Cyprus) has been dealing with it by mixing noodles, with soup, with a citrus energy drink. Strange.”
Generally the women eat porridge for breakfast. Instead of stopping for lunch, they graze throughout the day on a range of high-carbohydrate, high-fat foods such as sesame bars, popcorn, chocolate, salted peanuts and banana chips.
Dinner is usually a dehydrated meal carried in foil to which water is added.
The team has made solid progress since they set off, climbing around 800 feet up towards the Antarctic Plateau. However, with strong weather closing in the team is now preparing for a slower spell.
Writing earlier this week, Solomonides said “The weather has changed quite dramatically. It was ever amazingly easy to see but now we’re really getting icy cold winds and things are getting much tougher.”
The team has battled sastrugis (large frozen ridges of snow) minus 40 degree temperatures and fatigue, and is now within two degrees from the South Pole. “Things are getting harder but we are lucky in our unluckiness. My mantra everyday is we need to make it to the South Pole without injury.”
“We’re also looking forward to Christmas where we all will be speaking to our families and catching up on all the gossip at home. But apart from that I am going on my fourth day without music and needless to say I am faring… how am I going to put this, I am all right.”
The expedition marks the 60th anniversary of the Commonwealth as well as demonstrating the potential for greater international understanding and exchange and highlights the achievements of women across the World.
The team has already covered 738 out of 900 kilometres. They expect to arrive at the South Pole around New Year’s Day.
