Bryony Balen (2009)
Even celebrating her 21st birthday during the expedition, in a tent with cake and decorations, and Christmas day at her halfway mark! Not to mention the 11m of duct tape used in three weeks. Her team was whittled down from six to three, following illness. Yet, Bryony, her guide Lisa, and Bob, a 60 year old American engineer persevered to reach the South Pole after a gruelling final 15 and half hour ski in a white out. After three years of planning and training, the expedition was over and Bryony was wondering ‘what adventure should come next’. She had completed her challenge, meeting ‘amazing people’ on the way and had ‘changed personally in ways I am still discovering’. Bryony recalls ‘In November 2012 a member of the NGHS Junior School promised to beat my British record. So, the GDST legacy of fostering independence and confidence in their pupils adds another chapter to the adventure and I wonder which mountain I’ll be on in 2019’.