The Explorers Podcast Monet Izabeth - the first American woman to ski solo, and unsupported, to the South Pole
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Mar 10, 2026 Monet Izabeth, solo adventurer who skied unsupported to the South Pole in 57 days. She recounts training, qualification trips, and the logistics of starting from Hercules Inlet. She describes battling sastrugi, whiteouts, crevasse vigilance, and daily tent life. She also talks about fundraising realities and how polar reading and earlier expeditions led her to pursue this solo polar goal.
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Hard Training Turns Plane Departure Into Action
- When the plane left at Hercules Inlet Monet's training kicked in and she immediately focused on navigation and gear, not on loneliness.
- She expected an emotional collapse but found practical tasks and wind conditions absorbed her attention.
Overpacking Food Cost Sled Weight But Prevented Starvation
- Monet planned for 50 days but carried emergency rations for 57; she overpacked food and ended with surplus calories each day.
- She aimed for 5,200 kcal/day, ate ~4,800, burned ~7,000, and finished losing 25 pounds.
Female Bodies Lose Weight Differently On Long Treks
- Women may experience different weight-loss patterns on polar expeditions; Monet planned to remain healthy after a projected 20-pound loss.
- She intentionally gained weight pre-expedition to finish strong and maintained energy despite a 25-pound loss.
