Sit Skiing To The South Pole

“It's not about what I've done, it's about what I am going to do” - Grant Korgan

On January 17th, 2012 Grant Korgan reached the South pole after a 75 mile ski through some of Earth's harshest terrain and weather. What makes this trip incredible are the events leading up to the South Pole Push. Rewind to March 5th, 2010 Grant becomes paralyzed from the waist down after fracturing his L1 vertebrae performing a snowmobile jump for a video shoot. With a prognosis of never walking again Grant, with the help and support of his new wife Shawna, started a journey of rehabilitation that has been relentless and unwavering.

After the accident the couple quit their jobs, sold their cars and moved into a house that Shawna's parents owned. The new focus in their life wasn't kayaking, snowmobiling, skiing, or mountain biking all of which Grant was very accomplished at. No, their focus was getting Grant up on his feet and moving again. They came up with a plan using whatever resources they could find. Thankfully High Fives, "a Tahoe based non-profit organization that is dedicated to raising money and awareness for athletes who have suffered a life-altering injury while pursuing their dream in the winter action sports community", came along to give support.

Grant made his way across the harsh landscape of Antarctica using a custom made sit ski. The KBG Artik Crosscountry Sit Ski made it possible for Grant to become the first adaptive athlete to reach the South Pole.

 The designer of this sit ski is Kevin Bramble of Kevin Bramble Goodz(KBG). A three time Paralympic champion Kevin is the leading innovator when it comes to sit skis. This new design is different than most sit skis that only have one ski. The Actik has two articulating skis enabling the skier to handle more rough terrain and carve turns easier. Made from carbon fiber and aluminum this 8 lbs. Artic ski collapses up for easy travel.

After nearly two years of rehab, training, sacrifice, and doctors telling Grant he should focus on living in a wheelchair. With temperatures in the -30's and winds of 20 to 30 knots Antarctica is not a hospitable place. The team estimates it would take about 250,000 thrusts with this ski poles moving the sit ski along the rough snowy terrain. About 100 feet from the flags marking the South Pole, Grant stopped and with the help of his teammates Doug Stoup and Tal Fletcher he got to his feet. They each gave up a ski and pole and Grant made it, with tears in his eyes, standing on his two paralyzed feet to the South Pole of the world. Thanking his friends that helped him on this incredible journey that culminated in such a emotional triumph he says "I only wish my wife was here". Shawna, the one person that wouldn't let Grant give up, the friend and companion that stood by his side during endless appointments, pool sessions, and therapy. Out of the crowd of onlookers consisting of scientists working at the Amundsen-Scott research station Shawna suddenly appeared and as she removed her mask said "welcome to the south pole". As Steven Siig, the director of the film crew documenting the trip says "This is a historic day in the name of recovery, technology, adventure and the human potential.” What does Grant Korgan say "It's not about what I've done, it's about what I am going to do.” 

While researching and writing this post I am humbled and inspired. It is so easy to say "I'll go hiking tomorrow" or "maybe we'll do that trip next year". The problem is if you keep saying those things eventually you end up old and unmotivated with many regrets and not many stories of adventures. The Korgan's story has taught me to take nothing for granted and really appreciate every opportunity that comes my way.

Thank you to the South Pole Push for their info and pictures. Please check out the High Fives organization to learn more about adaptive athletes and how you can help support their return to great adventures.


Jeremy