Despite problems with the kite's lines, Rune could still break the world record for the longest solo polar trip, previously set by fellow-Norwegian Ousland. Live image over Contact 3.0 courtesy of Rune (click to enlarge).
"I have a dream" During the solo trip Rune didn't dream of fame and glory, but a farm he wants to build in Norway. (click to enlarge).
He had never even been to the South Pole, yet his plan was grand. He would cross the entire continent sea to sea and try to beat all previous unsupported ski-kiting distance records there. He dubbed his expedition The longest March. (Click to enlarge).
Rune completed the trip with kites but without resupplies (click to enlarge).
Frostbite haunts Rune in the last stages of his incredible trans-Antarctic crossing. The skier has endured 2500 miles standing stiff behind a kite, writing a new page in polar history. Frostbitten, exhausted and running out of food, after two and half months alone on the ice, Rune still had the drive to break his own speed record last week - 211 km in one day. Live image over Contact 3.0 courtesy of Rune (click to enlarge).
Bruce Parry and Rune Gjeldnes, two modern day teams, used 1911 equipment, clothes and food, and recreated the iconic race – Rune, of course, was Amundsen. The resulting six-part series was titled "Blizzard: Race to the Pole" and aired on BBC. Image by Rune Gjeldnes courtesy Rune Gjeldnes
Rune struggled to the very end, here stuck in another whiteout (click to enlarge).
The Norwegian spent a rather lonely Christmas, treating himself to presents (click to enlarge).
Rune's last image sent live over Contact 3.0, on Saturday, January 28th 2006. One day later, his digital camera fell in a crevasse (click to enlarge).
The map shows Rune's route across Antarctica, from Novolazarevskaya in Queen Mau's Land, to terra Nova in Victoria Land, via the South Pole. All images were sent live over Contact 3.0. Images and the Map courtesy of Rune (click to enlarge).
Rune Gjeldnes traversed with kites from Novo to Terra Nova and set a new 4804 km record.
Rune's girlfriend Aina was waiting for him at the finish line, in Terra Nova Bay. "It was wonderful to see her, and feel her again - one of the most special moments in my life," recalled Rune (click to enlarge).
Posted: Dec 29, 2006 10:41 am EST SUBSCRIBER CONTENT PREVIEW FOR FULL STORY: LOGIN OR SUBSCRIBE NOW - UP TO 3 MONTHS FREE
We have covered hundreds of expeditions in 2006. It's difficult to choose the best, as they all contributed in their own way, sharing their story - their very soul in fact - with us and the world. And yet, there are those who continue to linger in our minds long after their final debrief. We have chosen 8 expeditions who have contributed in an extraordinary way to the Spirit of Adventure in the year of 2006. Today number 3: Rune Gjeldnes - Antarctic crossing Rune is not a man of big words, the reason perhaps why this...
