The White Darkness by David Grann
A fascinating account of a modern-day explorer who idolized Shackleton and trekked to the South Pole twice before attempting a solo land-crossing of the Antarctic continent! Stunning with awe-inspiring photos.
Henry Worsley, related to Captain Frank Worsley, on Shackleton’s ill-fated Endurance Expedition, was obsessed with Antarctica. Together with a great nephew of Shackleton, and a great grandson of the second in command on Shackleton’s Nimrod Expedition, the three men set out to trek across Antarctica in 2008-09 to reach the South Pole. They faced the dreaded Beardsmore Galcier, whiteouts that made one man motion sick, and a two-day storm after which they had to hack themselves out of walls of ice. The arduous journey would have been enough for most men, but Henry Worsley wasn’t done yet. He came back to the unforgiving, brutal continent, two more incredible times, the last one braving the challenge on his own.
I find tenacious adventure-seekers like Worsley amazing! Never in a million years would I have the courage or determination to voluntarily put myself through such trying and dangerous conditions. The most daring thing I’ve probably done is hike the Grand Canyon from North Rim to South Rim with our former Girl Scout Troop and leaders. At times, the trails were very narrow with big drops-offs. Thankfully, we were on foot and got to cling to the canyon walls while the people on the “luxurious” donkey rides had to move to the outside edge of the trail while they teeter-tottered near death and saw their donkeys kicking dirt off the edge of the world. No thanks. I prefer my own two feet. Our hike also included washing our hair in an ice-cold waterfall. I think I saw ice cubes rain down. And finally, the last overnight camp was filled with scorpions. Memorable!
The next “adventurous” accomplishment was probably when this Vegas girl adjusted to the North Idaho winters, or even the time I braved the Polar Plunge. That’s about the extent of my fearlessness.
And while I’d never attempt a really grand feat like a trek to the South Pole, I love reading about the people who have given so much to not just conquer the extremes of nature, but even just to travel and explore this big, beautiful earth.
Below are some other jaw-dropping adventures or travels:
Non-Fiction Adventure and Travel Books:
438 Days by Jonathan Franklin – Lost at sea.
Around the World in 72 Days by Jason Marks - Nellie Bly's recreation of Verne's fictional race around the world
Bill Bryson’s African Diary by Bill Bryson – Humanitarian journey
C’est La Vie by Suzy Gershman – Living in Paris
Eighty Days: Nellie Bly and Elizabeth Bisland’s History-Making Race Around the World by Matthew Goodman
Endurance: Shackleton’s Incredible Voyage by Alfred Lansing – Ill-fated Antarctica expedition
French Dirt by Richard Goodman – An American man moves to France
Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer – A man lives alone in the Alaskan wilderness.
Madhouse at the End of the Earth: The Belgica’s Journey Into the Dark Antarctic Night by Julian Sancton
Notes from a Small Island by Bill Bryson – About his time and thoughts about England
Plant Hunters: Two Hundred Years of Adventure and Discovery Around the World by Toby Musgrave, Chris Gardner, and Will Musgrave
The Reluctant Tuscan by Phil Doran – An American couple moves to Italy
The Ridiculous Race by Steve Hely and Vali Chandrasekaran – A dare to race around the world
Tales of a Female Nomad: Living at Large in the World by Rita Golden Gelman
Tracks by Robyn Davidson – A woman’s trek across the Australian Outback
Three Weeks with My Brother by Nicholas Sparks and Micah Sparks – Touring the world
Under the Tuscan Sun by Frances Mayes – An American couple's life in Italy
A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson – Hiking the Appalachian Trail
A Year in Provence by Peter Mayle – A British couple moves to France
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