Calgarian Heads to Antarctica for Explorers’ Grand Slam
Laval St. Germain from Calgary is a world-record holding adventurer who plans to ski solo to the South Pole, followed by the ascent of Antarctica’s tallest peak while raising funds for cancer.
St. Germain is one of Canada’s top explorers and his next expedition is called “90Ëš South, 7th Summit” which is set to launch this November.
St. Germain, who has summited the tallest peaks on six of the seven continents, will embark on a solo unsupported full-length ski to the South Pole, followed by a climb of Mount Vinson, the highest peak on the Antarctic continent.
The solo ski will cover 1,200 km with St. Germain pulling 100 kg of gear behind him in a sled, and is anticipated to take approximately 45 days to reach the South Pole. From there, he will travel to the base of Mount Vinson, and climb to its 4,852 m peak, which will take approximately 10 days.
“I love to challenge people to stay healthy, be fit and chase their own challenges and goals,” says St. Germain.
“I’m a family man with a career, and I’ve had my share of triumphs and challenges. I hope this expedition will serve to inspire others to make the most of their lives, in a way that’s meaningful to them.”
The expedition is part of his quest to complete the Explorers’ Grand Slam, completing the Seven Summits, plus full length expeditions to the North and South poles.
About 12 people have ever completed this challenge, the same number who have visited the moon.
However, St.Germain wants to make it an Explorers’ Grand Slam Plus: the plus being the addition of a solo ocean crossing by rowboat.
St.Germain’s team back in Calgary will include his wife Janet, daughter Andréa and son Eric, along with his longtime expedition dispatcher and weather expert, James Redeker.
The expedition will raise dollars for an important cause for St. Germain, the Alberta Cancer Foundation.
“For years I have done these kinds of trips and only came back with photos, videos, stories, scars and memories,” he says.
“Life is short and precious, and I am determined to make a difference. When I rowed alone across the Atlantic ocean in 2016, I vowed to raise $200,000 for the Alberta Cancer Foundation. I reached the coast of France in record time but didn’t reach my fundraising goal. This expedition is about unfinished business – reaching the pole, the summit, and most importantly, raising funds for cancer.”
The Alberta Cancer Foundation is the official fundraising partner for all 17 cancer centres in Alberta, including the Tom Baker Cancer Centre in Calgary and the Cross Cancer Institute in Edmonton.
“I am always humbled by donors like Laval, whose passion enables the foundation to push the pace of progress that leads to faster diagnoses, ground-breaking research and leading-edge treatments right here at home,” says George Andrews, President and CEO of the Alberta Cancer Foundation.
“In partnership with the brightest minds and with compassionate care, the foundation and our donors are making life better for Albertans facing cancer.”
St. Germain’s outdoor adventure accolades and expertise to date are numerous, and include: Only Canadian to summit Mount Everest without oxygen, only person to climb and ski Iraq’s highest mountain – Cheekah Dar, climbed and skied Nunavut’s highest mountain – Barbeau Peak, climbed and skied Canada’s highest mountain – Mount Logan, climbed the highest peak in 18 countries, cycled from the Arctic Ocean to Yukon in winter, world-record crossing of the North Atlantic ocean by solo row boat and is a fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society.
Check out the latest buyer's guide:
