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Colin O’Brady Completes Crossing of Antarctica with Final 32-Hour Push

nytimes.com

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Re: Colin O’Brady Completes Crossing of Antarctica with Final 32-Hour Push

#21

Post by FPGAhacker »

maxxxxx wrote: post #5

Just this week I read a story about Henry Worsley who died trying the same thing: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2018/02/12/the-white-dark... . After reading, I wonder if you have to a certain level of insanity for doing something like this.

I don't know, but it's an interesting thought. What drives someone do to this? I'm in awe of it. It seems to me that it has to be tied to finding meaning in life one way or another.

I have to wonder though, how long does it take for the afterglow of such a massive accomplishment to wear off and to start asking yourself "what now?"

Re: Colin O’Brady Completes Crossing of Antarctica with Final 32-Hour Push

#22

Post by npstr »

tbassetto wrote: post #20

Wasn’t the crossing of Antartica unsupported already done in http://www.travelexplorations.com/cecilie-skog-and-ryan-wate... ? Asking because Colin’s website says it’s a first but I must be missing something.

You are missing that Colin did it solo.

Re: Colin O’Brady Completes Crossing of Antarctica with Final 32-Hour Push

#23

Post by maxxxxx »

FPGAhacker wrote: post #21
maxxxxx wrote: post #5

Just this week I read a story about Henry Worsley who died trying the same thing: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2018/02/12/the-white-dark... . After reading, I wonder if you have to a certain level of insanity for doing something like this.

I don't know, but it's an interesting thought. What drives someone do to this? I'm in awe of it. It seems to me that it has to be tied to finding meaning in life one way or another. I have to wonder though, how long does it take for the afterglow of such a massive accomplishment to wear off and to start asking yourself "what now?"

I have the same thought when I see presidential campaigns. I don't think a balanced person would put themselves and their families through that. You have to be some kind of crazy to do this. Maybe we need these extreme people, but I am not sure we should take them as something to aspire to.

Re: Colin O’Brady Completes Crossing of Antarctica with Final 32-Hour Push

#25

Post by LeifCarrotson »

curiousgal wrote: post #6

Tangent. I once met a guy who told be about a historical book of, as far as I can remember, 2 or 3 explorers who were friends (?) and were racing to explore Antarctica. Does anyone happen to know the name of said book? It's been my white whale.

If it was about Antarctica, it might be Lansing's "Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage": I recall that it opened with some chapters describing the preparations and some descriptions of the spirit of camaraderie among Arctic and Antarctic explorers of various nationalities. It's set just after the race to reach the pole. It was a best seller, and they made a movie about it in 2000, so it had reach enough to be mentioned.

It's definitely not a story about 3 friends racing to explore Antarcica - for one, while it takes a few small creative liberties, it's an historical narrative, and only one of the three are significantly included.

But it is a fantastic read, and even if it isn't the one you're looking for it is both well worth your and it is concerning the same topic.

Re: Colin O’Brady Completes Crossing of Antarctica with Final 32-Hour Push

#26

Post by eismcc »

FPGAhacker wrote: post #21
maxxxxx wrote: post #5

Just this week I read a story about Henry Worsley who died trying the same thing: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2018/02/12/the-white-dark... . After reading, I wonder if you have to a certain level of insanity for doing something like this.

I don't know, but it's an interesting thought. What drives someone do to this? I'm in awe of it. It seems to me that it has to be tied to finding meaning in life one way or another. I have to wonder though, how long does it take for the afterglow of such a massive accomplishment to wear off and to start asking yourself "what now?"

Having been part of the Ironman community for a while now, I can say endurance folks are definitely different than your average person. Often very humble, they like meaningful, big, challenging goals that redefine “normal.”

Re: Colin O’Brady Completes Crossing of Antarctica with Final 32-Hour Push

#27

Post by Alupis »

lostlogin wrote: post #14
gumby wrote: post #2

At first I was shocked by how large a sled he dragged. I use a much smaller sled (just a deer sled). Then I saw how smooth the terrain was at least where the photo was taken. Then I read that he was out for 53 days . And of course his conditions are far, far more grueling than I have ever faced (all in North America). So then I was shocked at how little he had with him!

I talked to a guy who tried to cross it once. To get the huge number of required calories in a compact form they drank olive oil. He didn’t like it and it sure sounds nasty.

> To get the huge number of required calories in a compact form they drank olive oil.

Eating sticks of butter is common too.

Re: Colin O’Brady Completes Crossing of Antarctica with Final 32-Hour Push

#28

Post by maxxxxx »

dana321 wrote: post #4
gumby wrote: post #2

At first I was shocked by how large a sled he dragged. I use a much smaller sled (just a deer sled). Then I saw how smooth the terrain was at least where the photo was taken. Then I read that he was out for 53 days . And of course his conditions are far, far more grueling than I have ever faced (all in North America). So then I was shocked at how little he had with him!

That's got to be the best place in the world, imagine the solitude, the quietness and amazing scenery. Must have been an amazing experience.

I have read Shackleton's book and also one by a member of Scott's expedition. From that I got the sense that it's a place of wind, danger and misery. It's not a quiet stroll after fresh snowfall.

Re: Colin O’Brady Completes Crossing of Antarctica with Final 32-Hour Push

#29

Post by [deleted] »

dana321 wrote: post #4
gumby wrote: post #2

At first I was shocked by how large a sled he dragged. I use a much smaller sled (just a deer sled). Then I saw how smooth the terrain was at least where the photo was taken. Then I read that he was out for 53 days . And of course his conditions are far, far more grueling than I have ever faced (all in North America). So then I was shocked at how little he had with him!

That's got to be the best place in the world, imagine the solitude, the quietness and amazing scenery. Must have been an amazing experience.

[deleted]

Re: Colin O’Brady Completes Crossing of Antarctica with Final 32-Hour Push

#30

Post by maxxxxx »

eismcc wrote: post #26
FPGAhacker wrote: post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't know, but it's an interesting thought. What drives someone do to this? I'm in awe of it. It seems to me that it has to be tied to finding meaning in life one way or another. I have to wonder though, how long does it take for the afterglow of such a massive accomplishment to wear off and to start asking yourself "what now?"

Having been part of the Ironman community for a while now, I can say endurance folks are definitely different than your average person. Often very humble, they like meaningful, big, challenging goals that redefine “normal.”

Do they get a kick out of overcoming suffering,.doing something really difficult or what drives them? In the end they don't achieve anything useful. I can relate to it somehow. When I did kickboxing I sometimes wondered why I let myself get beat up for no money, fame or any other reward. Never really understood my motivation other than that I had it.
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