The North Face, a global outdoor brand of Youngone Outdoor, announced on the 20th that the team leader Kim Young-mi has successfully completed a solo crossing of the Antarctic continent. Kim, recognized as one of South Korea's leading mountaineers, is an explorer affiliated with the North Face Athlete Team.
According to the North Face, Kim departed from Hercules Inlet (80° S) on Nov. 8 of last year (local time) and arrived at the South Pole (90° S) at 6:44 p.m. on Dec. 27 of last year, after 49 days and 3 hours. Kim finished the solo crossing of the Antarctic continent, covering a distance of approximately 1,700 kilometers, at 12:31 a.m. on Jan. 17 (local time), after 69 days, 8 hours, and 31 minutes.
Before this expedition, Kim crossed Lake Baikal in 2017. In 2023, she became the first Asian woman to reach the South Pole solo without resupply. Kim is scheduled to return via Incheon International Airport in early next month.
To celebrate Kim's solo crossing of the Antarctic continent, the North Face is holding an event until the 31st. This event is open to everyone. Participants can follow the North Face official social media account, write about their thoughts on exploration and challenge, and comment with a hashtag. The North Face will select 17 participants to receive prizes, including the same Himalayan light padding and Kantega Gore-Tex jacket that Kim wore during this expedition.
Youngone Outdoor President Sung Ga-eun said, "I sincerely congratulate team leader Kim Young-mi for completing this long journey safely and look forward to meeting her in good health once she has quickly recovered from the harsh expedition," adding, "The North Face will continue to provide support and encouragement to explorers and athletes with outstanding capabilities in various outdoor and sports fields."