A Woman’s Journey to the South Pole
704
Miles
53
Days
-50
Degrees
85
Kilograms
Meet Cat Burford
On 13 January, 2025, Cat Burford reached the South Pole following a gruelling 53-day and 704-mile journey skiing solo and unsupported across the Antarctic wilderness. Throughout her incredible journey, Cat carried her own food, fuel and equipment in a pulk weighing approximately 85kg, and faced extreme harsh weather.
Cat’s expedition marks a significant milestone as she became 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 was 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’s journey will have contributed to 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 embodies the values of courage, resilience, and empowerment that define our shared commitment to supporting women in their pursuit of extraordinary accomplishments.
Celebrating Cat’s inspiring achievement, Jon Walker, CEO AXA Commercial, said: “Cat’s successful expedition to ski solo to the South Pole is a testament to her determination and resilience. At AXA UK, we were delighted to support her on this incredible venture and follow her progress as she trekked across the Antarctic. Cat epitomises the ‘Know You Can’ mindset that we encourage our colleagues and customers to adopt – she proved that when you put your mind to it, anything is possible!”
Reflecting on our partnership and the encouragement she felt to pursue her goals with confidence, Cat shared: “There’s a power to being underestimated and always having to prove yourself. Sometimes it makes a big difference when people don’t question it and believe in you as much as you do.”
Catch up on the journey
Due to her day job as a dentist, Cat has humorously dubbed herself ‘The Molar Explorer’, but her polar journey was anything but a lighthearted endeavour. Despite the playful nickname, the polar expedition she undertook was a remarkable test of skill, determination, and resilience.
You can relive Cat’s South Pole journey through an interactive map and voice note updates given by satellite phone on her social media channels or on her website.
