Antarctica Expedition: Ever since I was little, the uninhabited, little explored continent of Antarctica has made me dream.

For several years now, its highest peak — Mt. Vinson (4900m) — has been calling me.
In addition, for the past two years, skiing to the South Pole (which is 9000ft above sea level —not at sea level as one might think!), has also been on my radar. And I’m even not a skier!

I often say it: We’ve got to follow our dreams so that we don’t look back one day and realize it’s too late.
So, after two years of preparation and one departure cancellation in 2020 due to Covid, on December 1st, I will finally embark for Chile.

Why am I doing this?

Just for myself. To transcend my own limits. To explore. For the pleasure of an extraordinary adventure.

Is it difficult or technical?

Yes. Though of course, everyone is going to have his/her own perspective. For example, if you’ve just returned from climbing Everest or K2, or a solo trek across the Arctic — Mt. Vinson may be an easy feat.
But for others, including myself, it’s an intense challenge.
I’ll be facing temperatures between -4F and -60C with a penetrating and constant cold, potentially very violent winds, and 8h to 12h of climbing or skiing every day.
We’ll be carrying 25kg packs, plus a sled weighing 50 kg more.
So yes, it’s difficult!
On the technical side: You’ve got to know your knots and how to use an ascender, how to set up camp in a storm, how to handle the extreme cold, and everything that you can only learn through experience.

How am I preparing on the physical side?

We’re definitely not attempting Vinson in flip-flops and unprepared !

When we talk physical prep: going to the gym twice a week, doing HIIT sessions, or swimming isn’t enough. And just because you might be 30 years old, have all your teeth and feel like you’re in the prime of your life, doesn’t mean that you can participate in this adventure either!

I follow a very specific and intensely physical training plan designed by Scott Johnston, expert in the field. This includes intense bodybuilding sessions with a 36 lbs weighted vest and heavy weights (which I sometimes share on my @valerieorsoni IGTV or IG Live), cardio (I hate running, but I do it as well as my vintage prop which simulates skiing), and hiking on a 1500 ft vertical drop with a 40 lbs bag. The approach is very scientific, with evaluation of AeT and other load measurements. So, I use a special watch — the Coros Vertix2 — which also measures my oxygen levels.

I wear my shoes (2 pairs) for a little every day in order to break into them more.

How am I handling pain?

If you have followed me for a while you know I have had my share of pain since I was born. From bone issues to joint issues, to being deaf 50%, to finding a 2 lbs mass in my abdomen and other nasty problems like an extra bone in my ankle which led to an invasive surgery a few years back (I was told I would never wear high heels again and don’t even think of climbing mountains) or my trijumenal nerve pain, which had been a constant since I turned 7 until…..my Keto smart diet once more.
Since I started following my Keto Smart diet as well as taking some supplements (some of them was a guinea pig for lol) I have ditched my braces and can function without them. I am not even taking a backup brace to the expedition.

Did you know that in France, doctors recommend my Keto Smart diet to their patients? This is how scientific and serious this approach is because iNFLAMMATION IS THE ROOT THE VAST MAJORITY OF OUR PROBLEMS (including cancer by the way).

I also fast 16-18 hour a day (dad, 23 !) except while on an expedition. Fasting does wonders when fighting inflammations.

And when pain still appears I meditate, use CBD and just POWER THROUGH because we are damn stronger than we think.

How about nutrition?

The expedition diet is high in carbohydrates. So, to avoid getting sick by suddenly switching from a Keto Smart diet to this one, two months in advance I start adding carbohydrates to my menus: rice, potatoes, etc. So of course my joint/bone pain comes back with a vengeance but it’s never where it was “before”.

During the expedition we burn thousands of calories per day, so I’m also having at least a stick of butter dipped in sugar (ewww, I know!) every day, in addition to the rich menus.

Logistics?

The logistics of this Antarctica Expedition is a bit on the hellish side because everything has been made more difficult with Covid. Covid passes are complicated to obtain, PCR tests required before taking off and upon landing and quarantine on arrival, add to that a complex equipment load due to the two very different projects (Mt Vinson then the South Pole) requiring different gear, shoes, outfits, etc.

Travel route: San Francisco (PCR before take-off) -> Houston -> Santiago de Chile. 24 hr stopover for a PCR test -> Punta Arenas (5-day “quarantine”) -> Union Glacier in an old Soviet plane, an Ilyushin (4.5 hr flight) -> Mt. Vinson glacier (1 hour flight in small glacier plane).

How long is the expedition?

Several weeks (at least 4) but this number varies depending on the weather, of course.
And yes, I’m going to miss Christmas and New Years with my family because December is the only good time for this expedition!
On that note, I take this opportunity to thank my family for their unwavering support, and especially my son who encourages me and made this dream come true.

What’s your motivation like?

It’s up and down. Of course, overall, I’m super motivated. But sometimes I tell myself that I’m not ready, that others will be more prepared, that I might slow them down, that I’ll be the weakest link, that I’m not at the right level, that I have too much pain and doubt. But it’s okay, because doubting forces me to push myself even harder. So, in the end I reckon I’ll actually be super ready!

Can we follow you?

Yes. As usual, I’ll post an article on this blog as I did for Denali and my other climbs, with a link to the map that will show you my real-time GPS tracker. So you can kick my ass if I don’t go fast enough !
Other than that, there’ll be no signal in Antarctica so no photos or phone service. Nada! After all it’s called Antarctica Expedition not a vlogging expedition lol

Who are you going with?

With Polar expedition pro, Ryan Walters. The first to REALLY cross Antarctica unassisted. I trained with him in Colorado last April!

Final thoughts?

Honestly, I’m excited and impatient, kind of like a kid…just so excited to be on Union Glacier. Let the adventure begin! Antarctica Expedition, here I come!

Valérie Orsoni
Your Healthy Living & Weight Loss Coach (and also: motivation, meditation, yoga, anti-aging, and…motivation again !)