A Woman’s Journey to the South Pole
704
Miles
50
Days
-50
Degrees
85
Kilograms
Meet Cat Burford
Drawing inspiration from her childhood geography teacher’s tales of the expansive South Pole, Cat Burford is undertaking a remarkable solo expedition this November. Over the course of 50 days, she will traverse a grueling 704-mile journey on skis, all while hauling her own food, fuel, and equipment in a pulk weighing approximately 85kg.
Cat’s expedition marks a significant milestone as she aspires to become the 13th woman to accomplish this remarkable feat, following in the footsteps of the trailblazing female explorers who have previously braved this daunting journey.
Empowering women through exploration
Cat’s expedition is driven by a deeper purpose beyond personal achievement. Recognising the lack of research on women’s endurance capabilities, she has teamed up with the University of Exeter to study the physical toll of her 50-day trek. By shedding light on the unique challenges faced by women in extreme endurance activities, Cat hopes to contribute to and improve the existing research in this area.
Preparation for Cat’s South Pole expedition also revealed the inadequacy of existing polar gear for women, which could lead to risks in the extreme cold. Motivated to tackle this issue not only for herself but also for future female explorers, Cat has advocated for the development of specialised clothing designed for women, to ensure safety and comfort in the harsh -50 Celsius temperatures.
A meaningful collaboration
Launched in early 2024, our global "Being a woman shouldn’t be a risk" campaign resonated deeply with Cat, aligning with her unwavering advocacy for women’s empowerment. We’re incredibly proud to partner with Cat as she fearlessly ventures into the vast expanse of the South Pole, embodying the values of courage, resilience, and empowerment that define our shared commitment to supporting women in their pursuit of extraordinary accomplishments.
Impressed by her resilience and Know You Can mindset, we stand behind her as she embarks on this extraordinary expedition.
Follow the journey
Due to her day job as a dentist, Cat has humorously dubbed herself "The Molar Explorer," but her upcoming journey is anything but a lighthearted endeavor. Despite the playful nickname, the polar expedition she is about to undertake is a remarkable test of skill, determination, and resilience.
You can follow Cat’s South Pole journey in real time through an interactive map and voice note updates given by satellite phone on her social media channels or on her website.
Follow Cat to enter:
Cat’s website
