The team, known as “Mini and Muttern,” has been on demanding expeditions before. Kathinka is an internationally certified polar guide (IPGA), with many years of experience from tough, cold expeditions around the world. She works for Ousland Explorers, a polar expedition company known for its team of exceptionally experienced polar guides and expedition experts. Her daughter Emma has covered countless miles on skis and has experience from several long, cold expeditions, including the Northwest Passage in the winter of 2025. She has inherited her mother’s adventurous spirit and drive to take on extreme challenges.
This is no ordinary expedition – and it is more than a record-setting attempt. It’s a bold, physically demanding adventure that pushes the limits of endurance, preparation, and the bond between mother and daughter. It’s also a story of legacy, courage, and the power of dreams passed from one generation to the next.
Route & weather
Their route will likely follow the Hercules Inlet path, a 702-mile journey that climbs gradually to over 9,300 feet above sea level. The expedition will take approximately 50 days, requiring them to ski 15 miles a day for 7 to 10 hours, dragging sleds weighing between 132 and 177 pounds. These sleds will carry everything they need to survive: food, fuel, shelter, and gear. It’s a grueling test of stamina and mental resilience.
The Antarctic interior is one of the most unforgiving environments on Earth. On calm, sunny days, temperatures can range from -12°F to 30°F. But when the wind picks up, it can plummet to -22°F or lower. At the South Pole itself, temperatures often hover between -13°F and -40°F, with windchill making it feel as cold as -50°F.
Warm clothes & dressing in layers
When embarking on this type of extreme expedition, it is crucial to dress in layers of clothing that transport moisture away from the body, insulate against the cold, and provide protection from weather and wind. Below you can see Emma and Kathinka’s Brynje favorites — these garments have been thoroughly tested during their journey through the Northwest Passage and other cold places.
