Akshay Nanavati, a former US Marine with Indian roots, pushes the limits of human endurance with a solo ski trip across Antarctica. During this 110-day expedition, which has never been attempted before, he will encounter temperatures as low as -40 degrees Celsius.
Despite his years as a Marine and being used to harsh conditions, Nanavati's mother, based in Bengaluru, had a different concern when she heard about his expedition to Antarctica. Four months ago her only question was: “Do they have any good hotels there?” A bewildered Akshay had to explain that his accommodation would be far from luxurious: a tent, with a four-minute walk to the nearest toilet, as reported by The times of India.
As a boy studying in Bengaluru, Akshay always had a love for swimming and running, his father Ajay told the publication. He added that Akshay struggled with drugs and alcohol as a teenager. At the time, a Ridley Scott film Black Hawk Down inspired him to join the United States Marines. Even with a blood disorder that “two doctors said would kill him at Marine Corps training camp,” Akshay not only managed to survive but also served in Iraq.
Nanavati previously achieved a remarkable feat: he became one of only 26 individuals to successfully climb the remote Axel Heiberg Glacier in Antarctica. However, this challenging expedition resulted in frostbite, which led to the amputation of two fingers. One finger could not be saved, while the other was removed preventively, as his wife Melissa explained to the Times of India: “Once you get frostbite, you are always more susceptible to it in the future.”
Akshay, who successfully raised nearly Rs 9 crore for his solo skiing expedition, confidently declared his readiness to conquer the Antarctic wilderness. He highlighted his rigorous training for extreme conditions and the invaluable support he will receive from Antarctic Logistics and Eric Philips, an experienced polar expedition guide. “Polar travel in Antarctica, while not as dangerous as free soloing or mountain climbing, entails a level of suffering that surpasses any other voluntary struggle I have ever experienced,” Akshay shared on Instagram.
