Carroll Center clients gathered around a phone on Wednesday evening to talk with the Polar-Vision team from Antarctica as they make their way to the South Pole.

On the other end of the world, Alan Lock, Richard Smith, and Andrew Jensen, along with their guide Hannah McKeand gathered around their own phone in their tent.

To date, the team has traveled 271 miles on their skis pulling their supplies behind them on sleds. 283 miles remaining to reach the Pole.

Alan, who has macular degeneration, will be the first visually impaired person to accomplish this feat. He said the landscape is covered by snow and ice to the horizon. Since it is summer time in the southern hemisphere, Antarctica has 24 hours of sunlight at this time of the year. The glare from the sun on the white snow and ice makes it more challenging for Alan who is bothered by glare because of his eye
condition.

Carroll Center clients had many questions about the team’s daily routine, the purpose if their trip, and the impact of this experience on them.

Alan said “We have not seen another human being since we started”. That despite the fact that there are many teams making this trek this year to commemorate the centennial anniversary of Amundsen reaching the pole.

The team’s efforts and aspirations inspired Carroll Center staff and clients alike. It reminded us of when Erik Weihenmayer learned hiking at the Carroll Center many years ago and his eventual feat of being the first and only blind person to climb Mount Everest. Pioneers like Alan and Eric break barriers and open minds. Inspiring achievements like theirs encourage and challenge many to pursue their dreams and potential.

The Carroll Center community wishes the Polar-Vision team safe trekking and success in their end ever and look forward to their visit upon their return North.

You can follow their progress on www.polar-vision.org or read a question from Carroll Center client Tiffany Kraus to Polar Vision Guide Hannah McKeand at www.polar-vision.org/index.php/2011/12/ask-the-boys-10/