In the summer of 1998 - 1999, Eric Philips, John Muir and Peter Hillary set out to complete the 3000 kilometre journey from Ross Island to the South Pole and back, further than anyone else had traversed across Antarctica. Their journey was meticulously planned: high-tech sleds and kites would assist their travel, satellite phones would keep them in contact with home and the waiting media, a nutrient-dense diet would sustain their bodies, already trained to their physical peak for the challenge ahead. But there were two things no one could predict. One was the viciousness of the Antarctic weather, and the other was the mental responses of the men.
The journey across Antarctica was conducted in a blaze of publicity. The venture was hampered by appalling weather, which kept the men tent-bound for longer than they had anticipated. Soon, illness stalked the team. Despite this, they reached the Pole, but never completed the return journey, instead recording the slowest journey to their destination. On their return, the tensions between the team members erupted in a very public falling-out, mainly between Eric and Peter. 'Ice Trek' is Eric's account of the journey - physical and emotional - across the pristine wilderness of Antarctica.
