Former Royal Marines battle extreme conditions to successfully reach the South Pole

Former Royal Marines Alan Chambers and Dave Thomas have successfully reached the South Pole after a gruelling 1,130km unsupported ski trek across Antarctica.

They dragged heavily laden sleds for 58 days on the polar ice, battling some of the Earth's most extreme conditions, trekking from Hercules inlet on the edge of the frozen Antarctic continent to reach their destination.

The challenge was part of Mission Spiritus Antarctica, a multi-faceted polar scientific expedition undertaking research into the global impact of nanoplastics on behalf of Columbia University's Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory.

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The expedition will help examine the effects sensory deprivation has on the body in prolonged remote climates, in conjunction with Manchester Met University.

Mission Spiritus has also been raising essential funds for the Royal Marines Charity, specifically the mental health well-being and addiction programmes it funds and supports.

'It's been emotional'

Mr Thomas - at the age of 68 years and one month - is believed to have set a new Guinness World Record by becoming the oldest person to reach the South Pole unassisted, beating the previous record by four years.

Mr Thomas told Forces News it had been emotional and physically hard at times, but mentally challenging too.

When asked why he wanted to take part, the former Royal Marine said: "Actually it's Alan's long-term project which he's been working on for two years. I did it at very short notice.

"He rang me up and said 'mate do you want to do this with me?'. My wife said I could go along as I did the Christmas shopping."

As well as the physical challenge, he said  the whole experience had been a great personal and collective achievement.

Mr Thomas also made sure to thank and highlight the "amazing support from Royal Marines from around the world".

The two adventurers have raised currently over £8,500, and you can continue to support their mission on their JustGiving page.