An ex-marine has become the oldest person to reach the South Pole unassisted.

Dave Thomas, 68, from Coelbren, southern Powys, has beaten the previous record holder by four years.

He and Alan Chambers MBE reached their destination on 19 January, having spent 58 days in some of the planet’s most extreme conditions.

The pair set off from Hercules Inlet on 22 November and skied unassisted for 1,180km.

But they also had to drag their food, fuel and stores in heavy sleds.

Temperatures were around -24C, with a wind chill of -42C while crossing the polar plateau.

Those conditions worsened over the final few days before they reached the finish.

Newport County Football Club shuts ticket office after ‘appalling abuse’ ahead of Manchester United tie

Six-legged abandoned dog has operation to remove extra limbs

Closure of Port Talbot steelworks ‘will completely smash community to pieces’

Mr Thomas celebrated his 68th birthday just before Christmas, on the 19th day of the expedition.

“The 1,000km milestone five days ago was huge for us emotionally,” he said.

“And although we knew then we were on the final push and we still had several days of hard hauling, we doggedly stuck to our routine, we were determined to keep to our planned pace, and resist any temptation to try and sprint for the finishing line.”

Read more from Sky News:
Reese Witherspoon eats snow and some aren’t happy
Why PGA Tour event winner won’t get £1m prize
Football club shuts ticket office after ‘appalling abuse’

Be the first to get Breaking News

Install the Sky News app for free

Mr Chambers added that Mission Spiritus had “not been an easy feat” but that their “Commando spirit” had seen them through.

The duo carried out scientific research while on the expedition, looking at the global impact of nanoplastics and the effects of sensory deprivation in prolonged remote climates on the body.

Related posts:

Olympic star creates cycling glasses that allow riders to see behind them UK reports 58 COVID deaths and 4,715 cases in last 24 hours Two men charged over murder of journalist Lyra McKee in Northern Ireland Investigation over honours and citizenship for Saudi national launched by police ‘We’re living in days of fakes and lies’: Putin’s spokesman denies war crimes but admits ‘significant’ Russian losses David Beckham feared for family’s safety after alleged stalker turned up at his daughter’s school Stephen Flynn becomes new SNP leader in Westminster Fifteen dogs seized and woman arrested after fatal dog attack GCHQ worker admits attempting to murder American colleague in knife attack GB News suspends Laurence Fox as he refuses to apologise for ‘totally unacceptable’ comments Tanni Grey-Thompson warns change to assisted dying law could leave disabled people with no choice Boy, 17, stabbed to death in Birmingham city centre in broad daylight named by police