Not every geography class covers Antarctica in as much depth and detail as to specify this seemingly obvious answer. How many south poles are there? What does Antarctica even look like? Who has dared to journey to the South Pole in the past, and what compels someone to endure one of the world’s most extreme environments?
Dave Martin of Extreme World Races recently spoke to the students in Thailand about all of these points and more, exposing them to a unique kind of adventurer as well as a unique approach to connecting with a region of the globe. Of the many interesting historical facts and stories he told, the students were amazed to find there are four South Poles on the Earth’s crust:
- The Geographic South Pole
- The South Magnetic Pole
- The Geomagnetic Pole
- The South Pole of Inaccessibility
A former Warrant officer with the Royal Logistics Corps, Dave has spent numerous years operating in some of the world’s harshest environments from the Arctic Regions to the jungles of Central America. Students were able to ask questions, see videos, and try out the equipment one uses to trek 745 km through the coldest, driest, highest desert in the world.
He gave me the most inspiration to do something adventurous or adrenaline seeking than anyone ever has in my life. I had so much energy after that talk; I was slightly scared I would hurt myself doing something stupid.
– Liam, Class of 2014