Prince William has expressed his admiration for an adventurous individual’s determination to undertake a challenging journey across Antarctica, a trip that tragically claimed the life of his father.
Max Worsley is set to retrace his father’s footsteps by skiing 1,400km to the South Pole later this year. His father, Lieutenant Colonel Henry Worsley MBE, was an esteemed British Army officer and polar explorer. Henry Worsley led various expeditions, including retracing Sir Ernest Shackleton’s route in 2008/09 and racing to the South Pole in 2011/12 following the paths of Amundsen and Scott.
In 2015, Henry attempted the first solo, unsupported crossing of Antarctica but had to be airlifted on day 70 due to falling ill. Unfortunately, he passed away shortly after in Chile.
Max’s upcoming expedition, named the Onwards Expedition, is announced on the 10-year anniversary of his father’s passing. In November, Max will embark on a challenging journey with Norwegian adventurer Martin Nesse. They plan to ski unsupported from the edge of Antarctica to the Geographic South Pole, covering a distance of 1,349km.
Facing extreme conditions such as -40°C temperatures, hurricane-force winds, and a climb to 2,800m above sea level, Max and Martin will follow the exact route that Henry Worsley took on his fateful third expedition a decade ago.
Max, who had always dreamt of joining his father on an expedition since he was 14, shared his sentiments about the upcoming journey. He aims to honor his father’s memory and raise awareness about the significance of Antarctica in preserving the planet’s ecosystem.
Prince William, who supported Henry Worsley’s previous expeditions, expressed his pride in being involved with Max’s expedition. He commended Max and Martin for their courage and determination, emphasizing the importance of Antarctica in environmental conservation efforts.
The Onwards Expedition will also support fundraising and awareness activities for The Earthshot Prize and the British Exploring Society, aiming to inspire young individuals to engage with nature and conservation initiatives.
Max Worsley expressed his gratitude for Prince Charles’ patronage of his Antarctic project, highlighting the expedition’s focus on raising awareness about Antarctica’s role in global environmental health and encouraging youth to connect with nature and explore wild places.
