Explorer becomes first woman to solo traverse Baffin Island

An explorer has completed her attempt to become the first woman to solo traverse across Canada’s largest island.

Covering 150 miles (241km) on foot and by ski while pulling a sledge across Baffin Island, Camilla Hempleman-Adams battled temperatures as low as minus 40C and winds of 75kmph.

The 32-year-old from Wiltshire had hoped to complete the challenge in 14 days, but finished a day faster than anticipated.

She said: “It’s been a really tough two weeks, but an incredible two weeks.”

“I’m feeling pretty exhausted, I have very sore feet, but it’s nice to be back in civilisation,” she added.

The solo trek across Baffin Island – Canada’s largest island – took Ms Hempleman-Adams from Qikiqtarjuaq to Pangnirtung, through Auyuittuq National Park.

Her father, explorer Sir David Hempleman-Adams, flew out to Canada to meet her at the finish line.

“What she’s achieved is quite extraordinary,” he said.

“I was really, really worried. She was right on the edge. It was wind speeds of 30 knots [34mph], and that’s just dangerous in these temperatures.

“Being solo, you’ve got to be really on top of your game the whole time. If you just lose concentration for five minutes, it’s a real problem.

“I’m immensely proud of her.”

On completing her challenge, Ms Hempleman-Adams, who now lives in London, said: “When you go in by yourself, you just have a mindset to keep going.

“You adapt, you have the mindset that you can’t give up. There is no giving up in those conditions.

“I was firmly just, keep going, one step in front of the other,” she added.

Ms Hempleman-Adams previously became the youngest British female to ski to the North Pole at the age of 15.