Through the Homeland of Ice and Storms

The start of the Antarctic crossing of Arved Fuchs and Reinhold Messner with stopover South Pole is difficult. First, the flight connection between Punta Arenas in South America and the Antarctic base camp with an ancient aircraft not works until the third attempt due to the weather. As in Patriot Hills even the smaller transport plane to the starting point of the expedition is not available, Reinhold Messner gets angry and demands the prepayment back. The route of the two adventurers must be reorganized and shortened by 600 kilometers. Finally, they start on skis with 80 kilograms of sledges per man in the direction of the Thiel Mountains through inadequately explored territory.

The two adventurers' rapid progress in the endless white expanse of Antarctica is made difficult by strong headwinds and so-called Sastrugis, ice-hardened, streamlined snow elevations. They constantly have to take small detours. In addition, Arved Fuchs' feet started to cause problems after 300 kilometers. Bloodshot blisters require makeshift medical care. When the rocky peaks of the Thiel Mountains appear on the horizon, both men feel hopeful because a segment has been completed. It turns out that Arved Fuchs and Reinhold Messner are different characters who have different views on walking rhythm and speed. Conflicts arise. Nevertheless, they pulled themselves together to reach the US Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station in time for New Year's Eve 1989, where they received an euphoric welcome from the researchers stationed there.

After the short stay at the South Pole with its hospitable part-time residents, Arved Fuchs and Reinhold Messner set off again to complete their Antarctic crossing. The much longer part of their adventurous journey lies ahead of them. They have chosen the so-called death route via the Beardmore Glacier and the Ross Ice Shelf, which Robert Falcon Scott once took when he wanted to return from the South Pole and died along with all his remaining men. The goal of McMurdo Bay should be reached within 45 days because the provisions only last that long. Since they now most likely have the wind at their backs, they are equipped with large ski sails, which they want to be pulled along with their heavy sleds. But frozen ice crusts, crevasses and storms keep stopping them again and again, putting the completion of the expedition in jeopardy.