An Indonesian woman’s remarkable achievement of reaching the South Pole on skis

The Red and White flag once again soars on the world stage! Putri Handayani, a mountaineer from Serdang Bedagai, North Sumatra, has made history as the first Indonesian to reach the southernmost point of the Earth, the South Pole, by skiing. She achieved this remarkable feat through the expedition titled Road to The Explorer’s Grand Slam: Antarctic-8 Expedition on December 28, 2023.

The Journey to 90°S

Putri began her epic journey on December 21, 2023, traversing the extreme route from latitude 89°S to 90°S. For eight days, she skied while pulling a 30 kg sled, enduring extreme temperatures and challenging snowy terrain. However, her determination and spirit remained unwavering. Finally, at 1:00 PM Punta Arenas time, Chile, she successfully set foot at 90°S, raising the Indonesian flag alongside those of other nations that had previously reached the region.

Before arriving at the geographic South Pole, Putri also took the time to celebrate at the Ceremonial South Pole, a symbolic location surrounded by the flags of 12 countries that signed the Antarctic Treaty. This point is approximately 200 meters from the main geographic pole and serves as a traditional site where explorers commemorate their achievements.

Challenges on Mount Vinson

The expedition was initially planned in two stages: climbing the highest peak in Antarctica, Mount Vinson (4,892 meters above sea level), and trekking to the South Pole. However, extreme weather conditions forced a change of plans. On December 12, 2023, when she was close to summiting Mount Vinson, strong winds compelled the team to turn back for safety. This decision led Putri to focus on completing her journey to 90°S first.

After her success at the South Pole, Putri took a brief rest at the Indonesian Embassy Residence in Santiago, Chile, at the invitation of Indonesia’s Ambassador to Chile, Muhammad Anshor. She then attempted to secure a second climbing slot to complete her mission on Mount Vinson in January 2024. Unfortunately, due to limited slots and the peak climbing season, her plans were hindered.

Continuing the Journey to the Explorer’s Grand Slam

Reaching the South Pole adds another milestone to Putri’s journey toward achieving The Explorer’s Grand Slam, a prestigious feat that involves conquering the highest peaks on all seven continents and reaching both poles. So far, she has successfully climbed Mount Kilimanjaro (Africa), Carstensz Pyramid (Australia and Oceania), Elbrus (Europe), Aconcagua (South America), Denali (North America), and reached 90°S at the South Pole.

Her next target is to reach 90°N at the North Pole in April 2024. If successful, she will become the first Indonesian to ski from latitude 89°N to 90°N. Additionally, she still has the missions of conquering Mount Vinson and Mount Everest—the highest peaks in Antarctica and Asia, respectively.

Support and Inspirational Mission

Putri Handayani’s success in this expedition was supported by various parties, including Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto, the Ministry of Youth and Sports (Kemenpora RI), Eiger Adventure, and National Geographic Indonesia. Beyond personal achievement, this expedition carries a powerful message of women’s empowerment. Putri aims to prove that women can dare to dream big and excel in any field, including those traditionally dominated by men.

With her unwavering spirit and perseverance, Putri Handayani continues to bring pride to Indonesia on the global stage. Her journey is far from over, and we eagerly await her next steps toward the pinnacle of success!

photo source : instagram.com/republikindonesia and instagram.com/putri.handayani22

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