Jonny Huntington reveals next challenge after South Pole success
The former GB para athlete and Army officer is looking to raise awareness about mental health
Last updated 28th Jan 2025
Devon's Jonny Huntington has revealed his next challenge, after becoming the first person with a disability to ski solo and unsupported to the South Pole.
Just 52 people have ever successfully skied to the South Pole without support and Jonny completed the challenge in 45 days, 14 hours, 15 minutes.
He now plans to attempt 50 marathons in 50 American states in 50 days in Summer 2026.
A stroke left Jonny, then aged 28, with complete left-side paralysis from the neck down and after years of intense rehab he lives with permanent brain damage resulting in a significant lack of strength, mobility and control down his left side.
Talking about how it affected him on the expedition, he said: “This was a massive undertaking for an able-bodied person. Add my restricted movements due to neuro fatigue from the brain damage, and it took the challenge to a whole new level."
Having set off from Fuchs-Messner on the edge of the Antarctic landmass on 21st November, Jonny arrived at the South Pole on 6th January at around 5pm (GMT) officially making history as the first ever explorer with a disability to reach the South Pole alone.
“I’m exhausted – but so proud to make it to the pole and complete an expedition that many thought impossible,” said Jonny from the South Pole.
“It has pushed me to my limits – both mentally and physically – but there was no way I was going to give up. I just needed to keep putting one foot in front of the other.
“It is incredible to think that I am the first disabled person in history to ski solo and unsupported to the South Pole, and it just proves that anything is possible with self-belief.
“I will never let my disability define me, and I hope that by reaching the finish line, it shows that no matter what life throws at you – with enough determination everyone can fulfil their own potential.”
On average, Jonny was skiing for 11 hours a day and dragging all his equipment and food in a sled which weighed more than 90kg, with everything he needed to survive the expedition.
Throughout the expedition he battled Arctic temperatures as low as -40 C and blistering 24-hour sunlight; huge ice formations called sastrugi and soft snow making progress challenging.
This year has been particularly challenging for adventurers in Antarctica with other expeditions having to be aborted.
Jonny added: “Antarctica is a remote, hostile and uninhabitable environment, and some of the conditions were incredibly challenging.
“There were days when I had to finish earlier than planned because of dangerous conditions or pure exhaustion and self-preservation for the longevity of the expedition, meaning the expedition took longer than I initially planned. I ended the expedition with just 24 hours of rations left.”
Through his expedition, Jonny was raising money for four charities including the Invictus Games Foundation, Armed Forces Para-Snowsport Team, Team Forces and The Adaptive Grand Slam Foundation. To donate click here