Prince Harry arrives in Antarctica ahead of 335km charity trek

Prince Harry arrives in Antarctica ahead of 335km charity trek
By Euronews
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Prince Harry arrived in Antarctica on Friday in preparation for a trek across the South Pole. His team will complete the 335km Virgin Money South Pole Allied Challenge in support of Walking With the Wounded, a foundation which helps wounded soldiers to return to civil life. Three teams are hoping to complete the course.

The prince, who is fourth in line to the English throne, didn’t get off to the best start. He arrived at the Novo aerial base two days late, after violent winds prevented his flight from South Africa leaving on time.

The trek is due to begin on November 30 and should last 16 days, with the teams hoping to reach the South Pole 18 days later.

Harry and the rest of the British team will spend a few days acclimatising to the altitude and the extreme temperatures before beginning the race. Each team will be accompanied by a mentor and polar guide.

The teams include 12 former service personnel from Britain, America, Canada and Australia who have all overcome life-changing injuries. Each has been put through a rigorous training programme to prepare for the conditions they will face in Antarctica.

Temperatures as low as minus 35 degrees Celsius, and winds of up to 80km/h await them on the trek. The participants hope to complete 20km per day, dragging packs behind them of around 70kg each.

Harry has already participated in one humanitarian trek in the North Pole in 2011, but left early to be a witness at his brother William’s wedding.

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