I have been following this journey since it began. As a fan of polar exploration I have read, with huge admiration, the accounts of early pioneers such as Shackleton, Amundsen and Scott. So it’s no great surprise that I found myself absolutely fascinated reading the daily journal entries of Henry Worsley’s crossing in contrast with the narrative of Shackleton 100 hundred years previously.
All explorers undertake their ventures with an understanding of the risks involved. It’s just heartbreaking when the odds overwhelm their courageous effort.
Rest in peace brave sir.
Taken from Henry’s Official Fund Raising Page Shackleton Solo
Henry Worsley [ShackletonSolo.org]
Henry undertook his solo expedition in the spirit of his idol Sir Ernest Shackleton and was delighted to have exceeded his goal of raising a £100,000 for the Endeavour Fund, a charity founded to help the recovery of injured servicemen and women. He was fulfilling his dream of crossing the Antarctic continent, and after having walked 913 statute miles unsupported and unassisted, battling extreme weather conditions, he made the brave decision, in Shackleton’s words, to “shoot the bolt”, 30 miles short of his ultimate goal.
In a final audio message, Henry leaves an emotional message informing his support crew that he is no longer able to continue.
“I have run out of time, physical endurance and a simple sheer inability to slide one ski in front of the other to travel the distance required.”
Taken from Henry’s Official Fund Raising Page Shackleton Solo
When Henry was picked up by Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions (ALE), he was suffering from exhaustion and dehydration. He was flown to a hospital in Punta Arenas where he was found to have bacterial peritonitis. This resulted in Henry undergoing surgery but in spite of all the efforts of ALE and medical staff, he succumbed.
Henry leaves behind his wife Joanna and children Max and Alicia. The family ask for privacy at this difficult time.
Joanna has given the following statement:
‘It is with heartbroken sadness I let you know that my husband Henry Worsley has died following complete organ failure; despite all efforts of ALE and medical staff at the Clinica Magallanes in Punta Arenas, Chile.
Henry achieved his Shackleton Solo goals: of raising over £100,000 for the Endeavour Fund, to help his wounded colleagues, and so nearly completing the first unsupported crossing of the Antarctic landmass. A crossing made, under exceptionally difficult weather conditions, to mark the 100th anniversary of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s Endurance expedition – his lifelong hero.
On behalf of myself and family I wish to thank the many hundreds of you who have shown unfailing support to Henry throughout his courageous final challenge and great generosity to the Endeavour Fund. Donations now total over £106,773.’
The Duke of Cambridge, Patron of the Shackleton Solo Expedition, said:
“Harry and I are very sad to hear of the loss of Henry Worsley. He was a man who showed great courage and determination and we are incredibly proud to be associated with him.
“Even after retiring from the Army, Henry continued to show selfless commitment to his fellow servicemen and women, by undertaking this extraordinary Shackleton solo expedition on their behalf.
“We have lost a friend, but he will remain a source of inspiration to us all, especially those who will benefit from his support to the Endeavour Fund.
“We will now make sure that his family receive the support they need at this terribly difficult time.”
THE EXPEDITION
On 13th November 2015, Henry Worsley arrived at his start point of Berkner Island, Antarctica, to embark upon an ambitious goal 100 years after Sir Ernest Shackleton’s ill-fated Endurance trip to complete the first ever solo unsupported and unassisted crossing of the Antarctic landmass.
Henry had undertaken this incredible effort and subsequent sacrifice on behalf of other veterans who had been injured during their service, by raising funds through donations to the Endeavour Fund.
The Endeavour Fund is managed by the Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry and exists to support the ambitions of wounded, injured and sick Service personnel and veterans to use sport and adventurous challenge as part of their recovery and rehabilitation.
In his last statement sent from Antarctica, Henry articulated why he had set out across the ice and in doing so, demonstrated his own values of selfless commitment and courage:
‘I set out on this journey to attempt the first solo unsupported crossing of the Antarctic landmass, a feat of endurance never before achieved.
“But more importantly, to raise support for The Endeavour Fund, to assist wounded soldiers in their rehabilitation. Having been a career soldier for 36 years and recently retired, it has been a way of giving back to those far less fortunate than me.
“The 71 days alone on the Antarctic with over 900 statute miles covered and a gradual grinding down of my physical endurance finally took its toll today, and it is with sadness that I report it is journey’s end – so close to my goal.”
Please donate what you can to the Endeavour Fund – watch a short clip of their incredible work here.
Off the Beaten Track 