In 1999, they creatively managed to hitch a ride to Dronning Maud Land aboard the Norwegian Polar Institute’s research vessel - thus travelling to Antarctica by sea. There, they were allowed to use Norway’s Troll research station so they could overwinter on the southernmost continent. Overwintering in Antarctica is rare in modern times. In the early 2000s, Troll was not a year‑round station as it is today, so when the Antarctic summer season ended, only Rolf, Eirik, and their two helpers Frode Nedrebø (handyman) and Gunnar Børre Thoresen (doctor) remained in the 70‑square‑meter station in the frozen wilderness. They spent the winter preparing for the expedition. Surrounded by ice, snow, and temperatures below –50°C, the conditions were ideal for training for a South Pole expedition.
The two adventurers had a small surprise up their sleeve. Very few people knew that Rolf and Eirik planned more than just skiing to the South Pole - they intended to cross Antarctica from coast to coast.
The route they had chosen was the longest ski‑based expedition of its time: a full 3,800‑kilometre journey. They kept quiet about the plan, likely due to financial and logistical constraints. In Antarctica, those who bring people in are also responsible for retrieving them safely. An expedition like the one Rolf and Eirik were planning would require large sums to cover a potential rescue mission - and without that money, approval wouldn’t be granted.
After 11 months of training and preparation, the two set off with 170‑kilogram sleds from the coast of Dronning Maud Land, heading toward the South Pole. They used the wind corridor along the prime meridian and traveled using skis and kites, allowing them to cover long distances when the winds were favourable. After reaching the South Pole at 90°S, they continued toward the American research station McMurdo at the southern tip of Ross Island. After 105 days of travel, they reached their goal and arrived at McMurdo.
They had succeeded in completing what was at the time the longest ski expedition ever: a total of 3,800 kilometres. The goal of the expedition had been reached, but the challenges weren’t over. They missed the ship that was supposed to take them home - and worse, they were not welcome guests at the American base. The Americans did not want to assist the two unannounced visitors, and there was great uncertainty about whether they would have to be evacuated at their own expense by ALE (Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions). Fortunately, a Russian cruise ship came to the rescue after some persuasion and took them aboard.
Eirik Sønneland and Rolf Bae succeeded in their expedition and the dream of crossing Antarctica. The record for longest ski distance was later broken by previous record‑holder Rune Gjeldnes in 2005–2006, but the journey of Eirik and Rolf remains one of the more remarkable modern expeditions in Antarctica. The sea crossing, overwintering, and tight budget made their expedition truly unique.
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In August 2008, Rolf Bae (33) died in an accident on the mountain K2 in Pakistan. He was swept away by an ice fall during the descent from about 8,100 meters after attempting to reach the summit.
