No Horizon Is So Far: Two Women and Their Extraordinary Journey Across Antarctica

by Ann Bancroft, Cheryl Dahle, Liv Arnesen

Book Overview

In February 2001, former schoolteachers Ann Bancroft and Liv Arnesen became the first women to cross the Antarctic continent on foot. Against all odds, they walked, skied, or ice-sailed for nearly three months in temperatures as cold as -35?F, towing their 250-pound supply sledges across 1700 miles of terrain riddled with rotten ice and deadly, hidden crevasses. Haunted by the failures of those who had attempted the crossing before them, they raced...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0738207942
• ISBN13: 9780738207940
• Release Date: September 2003
• Publisher: Da Capo Press
• Length: 253 Pages
• Weight: 1.26 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.3" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

No Horizon Is So Far

This book is the most inspirational book that I have read in many years. It is not just the journey - although inspirational in it's own way - it is the effect that Ann & Liv's journey has on people around the world. Especially the children. *Horizons* had me in tears in many places and I can not remember a book effecting me in such a profound way before. It is a must read - whether or not you desire journeying to far off places or just to the neighbourhood park. We all have dreams, aspirations and hopes for a fullfilling life. This book may help you to develop the fearlessness to follow those dreams. Thank you so much Ann & Liv!

A Fascinating Journey Made by Two Brave, Gutsy Women

The list of obstacles faced by those who choose to explore Antarctica is familiar enough: blizzards, bone-chilling cold, deadly crevasses, disorientation, faulty planning, and a whole lot more. The co-authors of NO HORIZON IS SO FAR added one more to that list: they are both women.Ann Bancroft and Liv Arnesen were both experienced Antarctic hands. Both in fact had been to the South Pole separately before they made the 1,700-mile, 94-day trek in 2000-2001 described in this book. There had never been an attempt by two women to cross the entire Antarctic landmass, using the South Pole simply as a halfway point in a larger, longer, more dangerous expedition.Bancroft (an American from Minnesota) and Arnesen (a Norwegian) had never met one another until they began planning this expedition. They obviously had a number of qualities in common that made them a viable two-person team. In addition to the obvious physical and technical skills, both were hugely aware of the feminist angle to what they were doing, and both were media-savvy. From the start they wanted to make a kind of worldwide educational event of their trip, involving school kids from all over the globe and actively cultivating coverage from the heavy hitters of the television talk show lineup.They also had business skills. They assembled a small corporate backup team in Minnesota, hired a PR firm and got down to the business of cajoling financial and physical support from the likes of Apple Computer, Volvo and Motorola. In order to obtain just the right kind of satellite phone, their support staff was able to lure a three-star general off the gold course to pull the right strings. They even got themselves an audience with the Dalai Lama, who gave them a flag he wanted them to unfurl at the South Pole in his name.The book that chronicles their trip is written alternately in the voices of the two women, with further contributions by writer Cheryl Dahle. This is a bit confusing at first because, while Bancroft's and Arnesen's contributions are labeled, Dahle's usually are not. It may take the reader a chapter or two to figure this out.There were plenty of problems. Bancroft suffered a crippling shoulder injury that caused her pain for most of the trip. An errant chunk of ice lodged in their transmitter beacon caused a false "Send Rescue" message to be sent that induced momentary panic back in Minneapolis. The complex mechanics of ski sailing caused all sorts of delays and headaches, and the capricious Antarctic winds had a habit of not blowing when they were needed most. The food was monotonous. There were problems with the private company that was to fly them from Cape Town to Antarctica (the company tried to induce them at the last minute to transfer their whole operation from South Africa to Punta Arenas, Chile).And in fact, the duo did not actually cover the entire distance they had mapped out for themselves. A combination of approaching winter and tough terrain forced them to call for air

A Great Read - very inspirational!

This is a great story very well written. A must read for all women who dare to dream or dream about taking a risk. I also think this should be required reading for all upper middle school and/or high school students - it will help them understand that all goals are possible but not always easy to obtain.

Inspiring and Transcendant

"No Horizon Is So Far" is a fantastic read that transcends the non-fiction adventure genre. The struggles these two women explorers endure to accomplish their goal to cross Antarctica on skis is not only captivating, but also encouraging. Their persistence and dedication not only to the trek, but also to each other, their "base team," and a larger community of children around the world who followed their Antacritc expedition, are hope for all of us seeking purpose in our own endeavors. The writing style captures the dynamic, precarious tension between success and failure and also entertains us with tales both personal and humorous. I simply could not put this book down, not matter how heavy my eyelids became.

an inspiration to all the heroines of the world

This is not a book about two women's extraordinary expedition to Antarctica. This is a book about having a dream and then finding a way of realizing that dream. It is about women who are not supposed to break the rules, yet decide to do it anyhow. The vivid descriptions transport us to unknown and unseen worlds and tell us about the human capacity to overcome obstacles. But first and foremost it is an inspiration for all the adventureres, dreamers, and rebels of this world. Finally, a true and exquisitely well-written story about ordinary women who dare to become extraordinary.