Meet The Antarctic Fire Angels - Pioneers, firefighters and the best of friends.
For the love of weatherShow Notes
Meet Georgina and Rebecca, the Antarctic Fire Angels. In January 2024 they pioneered a new route across the Antarctic while skiing unsupported from Union Glacier to the South Pole. The journey took 52 days, 10 hours and 30 minutes.
Four years ago Georgina and Rebecca didn’t know each other but they were at the same National Fire Service Conference. That year Sophie Montagne gave the keynote speech. Sophie is the world record holder for Ice Maiden, the first female team to ski across the Antarctic.
A five minute conversation with Sophie after the speech was the beginning of what was to become an incredible friendship between Georgina and Rebecca that led on to them completing this epic 1230km journey across the coldest place on earth.
Hold your breath while you learn about the terrifying noise of ice crevasses, the silence that can exist in the Antarctic and what it is like to be engulfed in a white-out. What is it like to experience temperatures of minus 41 degrees? climb altitudes of over 4000 metres? And try to keep up with an 8000 calories a day schedule to stay alive.
They are now building the Fire Angel Foundation, which will see female fire cadets and girl guides embark on a three month program. This program will culminate in a mini expedition to Sweden where they will build self esteem, confidence and learn to support each other during times of adversity.
Not only are Georgina and Rebecca championing incredibly feats of human stamina and endurance but they are truly champions of change for women and girls, carving out a wide and deep path to facilitate that.
From start to finish this is an inspiring podcast. It is a story of the human spirit, mental strength and the strength of most importantly a story of friendship.
If you would like to learn more about The Antarctic Fire Angels you can find them here:
https://antarcticfireangels.co.uk/ X - @antarctic_fire Instagram - antarcticfireangels
You can find their documentary on ITVX - 'Fire & Ice: The Antarctic Fire Angels' https://www.itv.com/walesprogrammes/articles/fire-and-ice-the-antarctic-fire-angels
Their next adventure is called ‘777’, seven marathons, 7 continents in 7 days. We can’t wait!!
And as always you can follow the podcast on ‘X’ we are @4loveofweather and on Instagram @fortheloveofweather.
Thanks so much for listening and supporting the podcast, and we hope you leave this episode loving the weather just a little bit more.
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