Blesma Member Martin Hewitt completes epic double adventure at the South Pole

Blesma Member Martin Hewitt has completed an amazing double adventure by completing an epic trip to the South Pole and climbing the highest peak in Antarctica.

The former Para Captain battled extreme conditions on his unsupported trek to the landmark pole before summiting Mount Vinson as part of his efforts to become the first disabled person to conquer the tallest peaks in all seven continents and reach both the North and South Pole.

Martin proudly unfurled a Blesma banner at the South Pole and thanked the organisation, his family and supporters.

He then waited for a weather window before tackling the 4,892 metre high Mt Vinson on the Antarctic peninsula with expedition partner Louis Rudd MBE.

“It has been an incredible effort and the support of Louis, the team and our families has been fantastic,” said Martin, whose right arm was paralysed while on his third tour of duty in Afghanistan with the Parachute Regiment in 2007.

“I felt overwhelming gratitude when the South Pole was in sight and, if I'm honest, relief.

Expeditions down here are hard and uncomfortable.  Blesma have been fantastic since I've been involved with them.”

Martin, 39, battled through 450-knot headwinds and minus 43 wind chill factor conditions to ski 650 kilometres over 50 days to become the first disabled person to trek from the edge of Antarctica to the South Pole unsupported and unassisted.

The attempt was almost derailed when Martin suffered an Achilles tendon injury and had to pause the expedition, but he continued after recovering.

Martin, from Wilmslow, founder of the Adaptive Grand Slam (AGS), which organises and runs physical challenges for members of the disabled community, added: “I was slightly disappointed with my injury but happy that we still managed over 400 miles pulling my own kit with one arm.

“We had many tough moments in the first 12 days. The weather was horrendous, the sledges heavy and there was a lot of uphill climbing. We kept breaking our goals down into small chunks such as getting to the next degree.

“After 14 days, I started to get used to the environment and everything improved although it was still hard. There's no such thing as an easy day on an unsupported expedition in Antarctica.”

Martin burnt around 8,000 calories a day through the gruelling exertions and was fuelled by a diet of porridge, chocolate, nuts, raisins, tiffin, energy bars and cheese.

Former Royal Marine Commando and SAS soldier Louis revealed that the pair had to constantly check for frostbite as they covered up to 12 miles each day, and that he had to check Martin’s paralysed arm as the pain would not have registered on his team-mate.

Martin added: “Louis has a wealth of experience in Antarctica and I've learned an enormous amount from him.

“We are delighted to have completed it and Blesma have been instrumental as they have contributed towards some of our big expeditions. Most importantly, they've introduced me and more lately my family to a community with opportunities to meet other members at Blesma events.”