Hampshire-based adventurer Jordan Wylie MBE has completed one of the most ambitious British expeditions in recent years, becoming one of the few modern explorers to climb previously unclimbed mountains in Antarctica before skiing to the Geographic South Pole.
The former soldier reached the South Pole on 16 December after weeks in some of the most hostile conditions on Earth, following a pioneering first phase of the expedition in the remote Heritage Range. There, Mr Wylie successfully completed the first ascents of three previously unclimbed and unexplored mountain peaks — a rare achievement in the coldest, windiest and least accessible continent on the planet.
The Heritage Range is among Antarctica’s most isolated regions, with peaks that have remained untouched due to extreme weather, logistical difficulty and prolonged isolation. Mr Wylie’s climbs are considered true acts of modern exploration, requiring self-sufficiency, technical mountaineering skills and careful risk management in an environment where rescue is often impossible.
After completing the mountain phase, Mr Wylie joined a South Pole expedition team led by former SAS officer and renowned polar explorer Lou Rudd. From there, he skied the final degree of latitude across the Antarctic plateau, hauling his own equipment and supplies, before reaching 90 degrees south.
Mr Wylie, who joined the Army aged 16 and served for more than a decade, said the expedition was undertaken to raise funds for the Army Cadet Charitable Trust UK. He described the journey as “cold, relentless, and brutally honest”, with “no shortcuts, no comfort — just forward movement, one step at a time”.
Speaking after reaching the South Pole, he said the expedition was about more than personal achievement. “If standing at the bottom of the world encourages even one young person to dream bigger, push further or believe in themselves when others say they cannot, then every frozen mile has been worth it,” he said.
Mr Wylie, originally from Blackpool and known to television audiences through Channel 4’s Hunted, has used extreme adventure to inspire young people since leaving the Army. After experiencing a mental health breakdown in 2015, he redirected his drive into challenges designed to promote resilience, purpose and self-belief. His previous feats include climbing Mount Kilimanjaro barefoot, running marathons in some of the world’s coldest environments and completing an eco-triathlon using a homemade wooden bike and a raft built from plastic bottles.
He said reaching the South Pole had been a lifelong ambition. “To reach 90 degrees latitude south after weeks embedded in such unforgiving Antarctic conditions is a huge achievement on a personal level. Ever since I was a little boy, I’ve dreamed of visiting the South Pole. I sincerely hope this journey inspires the next generation of young adventurers, showing them that true exploration is still out there,” he said.
Mr Wylie also highlighted the visible effects of climate change witnessed during the expedition, describing Antarctica as a place where the rapidly changing world can be seen “first-hand” and stressing the importance of protecting the planet’s last great wilderness.
The expedition was fully supported by Dyno-Rod, which has worked closely with Mr Wylie over the past 12 months delivering school visits, youth engagement programmes and community initiatives across the UK to inspire young people through adventure and the outdoors. Additional partners included Bremont Watches, Huel, ADHD360 and the Birchman Group.
Support for the expedition also came from Andover philanthropist Sultan ‘Sid’ Dajani, founder of The DeeDee Trust and owner of Wainwrights Chemist in Eastleigh. His support included vital sponsorship and pharmaceutical supplies that were used throughout the expedition.
During the journey, Mr Wylie treated frost damage to his nose and ear, as well as multiple blisters, using supplies provided by the Eastleigh pharmacy. He credited this support as essential to his ability to continue safely in extreme cold and isolation.
Mr Dajani said: “We are incredibly proud to support Jordan Wylie MBE on this expedition. Knowing that our Andover-based Trust and our pharmacy played even a small part in helping him safely complete such a historic journey is hugely rewarding.”
Mr Wylie is now returning home to Hampshire in time to spend Christmas with his family. The expedition forms part of his ongoing mission to raise £100,000 for the Army Cadet Charitable Trust UK, helping provide life-changing opportunities through adventure, education and outdoor experiences for young people from some of the most challenging backgrounds across the UK.
More information about the expedition and how to donate can be found at www.jordanwylie.org.