Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Ray Zahab treks to the South Pole

Ted Talk #1

Ray Zahab treks to the South Pole
By Ray Zahab

Rating ****

To cross Antarctica to go to the South Pole without skis, this is a distance of 660 miles. Impossible ? It looks impossible, however somebody did it! Ray Zahab made it in 33 days, 23 hours and 55 minutes, in the winter 2009. This Ted talk is about his experience and this expedition.

First, Ray talks about his expedition to the South Pole. In January 2009, Ray Zahab and his teammates broke the record for fastest unsupported trek across Antarctica, to raise awareness and money for kids' environmental education. The expedition was going to the South Pole, so crossing Antarctica, and was during 33 days with frequent temperatures of -40 degrees Celsius. He didn’t use skis, and slept in a tent. He could trek 10, 15 or 20 hours a day! It was dangerous, because there were crevasses, where a fall could be fatal. Then, he talks about his expedition when he crossed the Sahara desert to raise awareness of water shortages. During this crossing and the weeks that led up to it, he learned that the people who suffer most in a water crisis are the young. Then, he explains why it is important for him to have a reason to do something, not just go to a new place. For example, he didn’t only go to the South Pole to make it; he collected money for kid’s environmental education too. He created an interactive website for this expedition. Then teachers, students, kids and everybody around the world could follow him and his team mates during their expedition. They could ask questions and learn more. He didn’t bring any battery operated equipment, everything was charged with sun. Finally, his most important message is that we could make the impossible, possible!

I really liked this Ted talks, because Ray Zahab wants to share his experience and his passion to try new things even when they look impossible! The video gives a lot of information and is really interesting. After watching it, I am interested in looking at Ray’s blog/website and see what his projects are, and follow what he is doing! I will perhaps do something crazy like he did. After you watch it, you realize that anything is possible!

Ray Zahab treks to the South Pole. Ted Ideas worth spreading. February 2009. Web. 7 December 2011.

Sarah Jenni

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