Have you done an expedition or adventure as ambitious as this one before?
I have a lot of solo travel experience, but certainly never embarked on something of this scale. I have always had an adventurous streak and a desire to push myself and experience new things.
Before university, I took a year out to travel and teach English in a small village in Borneo. Without mobile phones and limited access to the internet, it was my first experience of relying on myself, overcoming situations and discovering what I was capable of.
As part of my elective project at university, I joined a research team from Nanjing University to study desertification in the Gobi desert. This involved camping, working in a remote desert landscape and grassland environments, and travelling solo around China.
I have also trekked to Everest base camp and completed a trekking circuit in Patagonia, but I have never experienced camping and travelling on ice.
Any adventure like this is both a mental and physical challenge, particularly when you are undertaking the mission solo and unsupported. Is there anything you are doing to prepare before you embark on the trip psychologically?
Mental preparation is key to a successful solo South Pole expedition and one that is more difficult to assess on the run up. I will be coping with the reality of being on my own, the isolation that entails and total dependence on myself- not to mention the daily monotony of a landscape that will often not be visible due to whiteouts and extreme weather.
This is where the rest of the training comes in. Feeling as prepared as possible is fundamental to anyone’s mental wellbeing during such an endeavour. Knowing that I have done all I can in terms of physical preparation, kit choices, and routine will give me the confidence needed to rely on myself.
Knowing my ‘why’ is a great piece of advice I received. Knowing my purpose and why this journey is so important will give me that lift and mental boost when I need it most. I feel that I am taking my geography teacher with me on this expedition, and she will be the invisible companion I can talk to through the highs and the lows.
Before leaving, I plan to invite friends and family to write messages in my tent so that at the end of every day, I can read them as I rest and feel their support.
Are there any skills you have acquired from training that are transferable to a clinical or practice setting?
Oddly, it has probably worked the other way around! The skills I have gained as a dentist have really helped in my training.
Dentists work as part of a team, and the ability to understand and work collaboratively is critical to expedition success, whether that’s setting up camp, identifying the skills of others, or simply communicating with people that you may have only met a few days before. We all know that members of the public have different personalities, and dental professionals are skilled at building positive relationships that make people feel comfortable and reassured under stress.
In our profession, we are trained to handle unexpected emergencies. The composure needed for this translates well to being in a polar environment. The weather can change in an instant, and calm thinking is essential to preventing disaster.
Dental professionals cope with a high level of day-to-day stress, and most of us are artists at using time efficiently. We cope with equipment failures, sometimes having to adapt or think laterally to complete a temporary fix to keep the clinic going temporarily. This ability to think laterally, to fix ski bindings or a cooker that fails to light, whilst being a long way from any support, is an important skill to demonstrate.
Has the preparation process taught you anything about yourself?
I have learnt that I am not so good at the ‘self promotion’ side of things. Quiet achievement while allowing someone else to shine has always suited me best, but this often leads to perhaps being overlooked and underestimated. To shine a light on my goals with the expedition, I have had to step outside my comfort zone and show people what I am capable of, my values, and why they should be excited to support me.
It has reinforced the work ethic that has been with me since I was little. From wanting to be a dentist to volunteering and exploring the world, I have never expected anything to come easily. Many people have told me I am lucky to have had so many different experiences, and I do agree…But it has been hard work that has created the opportunities.
Once you reach the South Pole, how do you plan to celebrate or mark the achievement?
When I arrive, I will visit two poles: the geographical South Pole, where I will officially log my time, and the ceremonial South Pole, the one featured in all the photographs.
Before displaying the flags of my sponsors, I think I will leave my earphones in to provide the musical backdrop for some dodgy dance moves, letting the reality of the achievement sink in. The best celebration will probably be a warm shower and a proper bed!
For more information visit https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/TheMolarExplorer-SouthPole?utm_term=7dp3rMkbj
Read part one here https://www.the-dentist.co.uk/content/news/an-icy-exploration