It’s one thing to accept total responsibility for yourself, but there’s far more self-reliance and strength of character involved when you’ve undertaken an adventure nearly two months long, alone, and trekking nearly blind in the vast, cold region of Antarctica.

In January Felicity Aston became the first woman to ski across the southernmost continent. Even more remarkable is that she did it alone. Felicity became the first human to ski solo across Antarctica. Not only did she ski more than 1,000 miles without the aid of motorized equipment but she pulled two sleds loaded with supplies.

Read a more complete version of her story on my Living in the Heartland blog.