Karen Kyllesø, 21, conquered a 1,133km trek in just 54 days to break the record of the youngest person to ski solo to the South Pole, braving extreme conditions in the process
A 21-year-old trailblazer has set a new world record by becoming the youngest person to ski solo to the South Pole.
Karen Kyllesø achieved the remarkable feat by completing a grueling 1,133km journey in just 53 days, enduring bone-chilling temperatures that dipped to -40C. The intrepid Norwegian faced off against sastrugi and hauled a sledge weighing 100kg, twice her own weight, across the icy expanse. She takes over from Frenchman Matthieu Tordeur, who previously held the title in 2019 at the age of 27.
Speaking to What’s The Jam, Karen shared her motivation: “For me, the biggest inspiration is dreams and working towards them,” adding, “That sense of accomplishment when you complete something hard — it’s a big motivator.”
She also expressed her desire to hold both the overall and female records, saying: “It’s great to have a woman up there on that list.” Karen embarked on her epic journey on 21 November 2024 via the notorious Hercules Inlet route, known for its challenging conditions, and spent each day skiing through whiteouts and solitude.
Standing at just 148cm and weighing 48kg, she had to increase her body weight by 10 per cent to gain the strength necessary for her arduous journey. “Gaining weight was one of the hardest parts,” admitted Karen. “I’m smaller than the average male and I needed extra weight and strength to pull the same load.
“It was on [a] three-week solo expedition [in Norway when] I learned the most. It was my first time being alone for that long. There were a lot of things I had to handle on my own – just the feeling of being far from home for that amount of time.”
Before setting off to break records, Karen prepared herself both physically and mentally, drawing on past experiences to stay focused and motivated.
At just 14 years old, Karen made history by joining a team of strangers to traverse a 600km ice shelf in Greenland, becoming the youngest female to complete the trek. For her expeditions, Karen relied on specialist gear provided by Shackleton, the brand she represents as an ambassador.
She donned padded jackets and trousers specifically designed for extreme weather conditions, which were crucial for surviving the sub-zero temperatures encountered during her travels. Now, the intrepid young explorer aims to encourage others by proving that even the most intimidating goals can be met.
Karen advises others considering taking on a big adventure to “start small. Build your confidence gradually instead of jumping straight into something as big as the South Pole. Take small steps. I never doubted that I was going to make it.”