Inspire 22: Antarctic expedition team call BFBS Radio to say 'Merry Christmas' with research going 'better than expected'
A British Army GP, part of the Inspire 22 Antarctic research expedition, has told BFBS Radio the trip is "going better than expected".
BFBS is sponsoring the gruelling 900km trek from 'the Messner start' on the coast of Antarctica to the heart of the continent – the South Pole.
Major Natalie Taylor, a lecturer of Military General Practice based at the Academic Department of Military General Practice (ADMGP), has previously served in Afghanistan, Oman, Uzbekistan, Estonia and other remote locations around the globe.
She called BFBS Radio from just over the halfway point to say 'Merry Christmas' and told BFBS Radio's Amy Casey on Christmas Day the team could see "beautiful white snow" as well as "frozen waves… blue skies with wisps of clouds".
Maj Taylor also said the trip to the South Pole "might even be shorter" than expected.
"The team is doing amazing, we're working really well together," she said.
"Thank you to everybody at BFBS, Merry Christmas to everybody listening, wherever you are in the world, we're having a great Christmas, we hope you are too."
The research team is made up of guides, doctors and physiologists – with a teacher and engineer also joining the expedition.
Using state-of-the-art techniques and wearable kit, the team is looking to understand how an austere environment has an effect on human metabolism.
They are also hauling their supplies behind them for up to 55 days, at a height of 2,835m above sea level.
The team of 10 set off on 25 November and will ski more than 900km across the polar plateau to the South Pole, carrying all their supplies for up to 55 days.
BFBS trustees are sponsoring the Inspire 22 expedition through the BFBS Welfare Fund which supports amenities, activities and projects that promote the efficiency of the Armed Forces. BFBS is the parent company of Forces News.
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