Alecia Maragh, executive administrative assistant, hugs Kim-Marie Spence, 2002 Rhodes Scholar. One of them will become a member of a female team which will ski to the South Pole. - Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer
With Winter temperatures averaging -40 to -70 Celcius, and summer temperatures -15 to -35 Celsius, Antarctica is cold, but even colder for the average Jamaican.
Having to ski approximately 500 miles in that climate while battling high winds and pulling a sledge only adds to the challenges. So why would you do it? Well, for Kim-Marie Spence, 30, and Alecia Maragh, 21, the question is, why not?
One of the duo will be chosen to be part of a final eight-member, female team from different Commonwealth countries, who will ski to the South Pole. Whoever is chosen will become the first Jamaican to do so, according to information from the Commonwealth Women's Antarctic Expedition.
"It's not just about Alecia and Kim going to the South Pole. There is an international and a national element because once again it's Jamaica striving to break a limit," Spence said.
The expedition is the brainchild of Felicity Aston, a British polar traveller who will be a team leader on the journey. It is an opportunity to bring people from different backgrounds together.
"It is hoped that all the women taking part will act as role models on their return, undertaking a programme of lectures and school talks to inspire others in their home countries to strive to make their ambitions a reality, whatever the challenges they may face," states the expedition's website.
The two Jamaicans are in the process of securing local sponsorship for their travel expenses. But their focus is to associate themselves with women's groups and youth organisations in an attempt to make a difference.
"We're not sports stars, and we're not amazing athletic persons. But we're willing to put in the energy, the time, the hurt and the muscle, tears it will take to train for this event," said Maragh.
Spence is equally determined. "Women all over the world are saying, we can do it. We're just as good as anyone else and with training, we can do it; and we need to stress that part; it's not just get off the plane and say we're here," said Spence.
Slated to begin in December 2009, the expedition will last 30 days. The women participating will come from Cyprus, Ghana, India, Singapore, Brunei, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and Jamaica. Two teams of four women will set off from opposite points and journey to one spot on New Year's Day 2010, where they will each plant their country's flag.
Beginning stages
Spence and Maragh are in the beginning stages of training at different gyms and hope to hike to Blue Mountain Peak together later this month. They will go through rigorous training internationally to properly deal with the elements and eventually one will be chosen to complete the trip.
Neither woman has any previous experience in such extreme weather, which may be why friends have come up with some crazy ways to get them accustomed to the cold.
"I was told that I must just fill up my bath with ice and just lie in there and not come out until they tell me to," said Maragh.
"My friends were talking about my going into a freezer and eating ice cream," said Spence with a laugh.
Despite the initial scepticism, both said they are fully supported by friends and family.
Both agree that being mentally prepared is essential and they just have to focus on the end result. Spence said she keeps thinking, "It will be summer in Antarctica (when we get there) and that makes a big difference."
The expedition's website is www.commonwealthexpedition.com.