DUBAI — Dubai-based explorer Adrian Hayes is being modest when he describes his fast approaching expedition to the South Pole as “a bit of a challenge”.
But then the 1,130km trek to the South Pole follows an earlier expedition to the North Pole in March this year and summiting Mount Everest in April 2006.
Hayes on Wednesday outlined his plans to the Press for the final leg of his “Three Poles Challenge” which, if successful, will see him achieve a world record for completing the trilogy in the shortest time of 20 months and only the 15th person ever to achieve the feat.
The “Three Poles Challenge” is called so because it combines what are considered the three most extreme adventures in the world.
“They are the top of the world, the bottom of the world and the roof of the world,” Hayes said.
The obvious question is why.
Other than possible “masochistic tendencies”, Hayes said he wanted to push himself.
“If you’ve found something you’re good at you want to test yourself,” he said.
Another motivation is raising money for his chosen charities — the UAE-based Friends of Cancer Patients and the Children’s Hope Foundation.
But preparing for such a challenge, in -5’ Celsius to -40’ Celsius conditions, particularly in Dubai’s heat hasn’t been easy.
“I had to recover from the North Pole Expedition first,” Hayes said.
“I couldn’t walk for two weeks after that.”
After extensive physiotherapy, Hayes commenced training which involved pulling tyres along the beach, running up and down Emirates Towers and competing in the odd triathalon or two.
Hayes will fly to Sao Paulo with Emirates on November 2, and begin the trek, expected to take 55 days, from the Antarctic coastline on November 12.
While he realises this will mean missing not only the Rugby Sevens but also Christmas, New Year and his son’s birthday, Hayes is determined to complete the trek this year.
Hayes would become the 15th person ever to achieve the feat and said this was because a range of skills were needed to complete it.
As for his next challenge, Hayes didn’t disclose any major plans except to say he would keep setting himself goals including an Ironman competition.