Preet Chandi MBE, a 37-year-old British-Indian explorer from Derby, is set to embark on a 500-mile solo, unsupported trek to the North Pole, aiming to become the first woman to achieve this feat. Known as 'Polar Preet', she hopes her journey will inspire women and girls worldwide to push beyond perceived limits.
Chandi, a former British Army officer and physiotherapist, already holds four Guinness World Records and made history in 2021 as the first woman of colour to reach the South Pole solo and unsupported. Her upcoming North Pole expedition, expected to take around 60 days, will involve hauling 130kg of gear on a sledge across sea ice, facing temperatures as low as -50°C, and swimming through freezing open water.
Setting out from Resolute Bay, Canada, Chandi will navigate a moving landscape with no outside assistance or resupplies. She told The Independent: 'I enjoy pushing my own boundaries but also believe these trips are bigger than me – I want to inspire people and help them push theirs.' She added, 'As a woman, I want to inspire women to show they can do anything.'
Chandi's preparation has been intense, but since no one has attempted this trek for 12 years, she acknowledges uncertainty. She is chartering a plane herself to reach the starting point, and faces new challenges including polar bears and open water. 'Everything I’ve earned and every bit of money is being put into this,' she said. 'It’s so hard and challenging, I’ve taken such a risk here.'
If successful, Chandi will become the first woman to complete solo, unsupported journeys to both the North and South Poles. Her previous solo expedition to Antarctica in 2021 saw her pull a 90kg sledge over 700 miles in just over 40 days, making her the third fastest solo woman to reach the South Pole unassisted. She said, 'When I got back from the South Pole for the first time, I saw little girls dressing up like me for World Book Day – the fact they can see themselves in me, I absolutely love that.'
