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Extreme South
In 100 years of polar exploration no-one had ever walked from the edge of Antarcticato the South Pole and back without any support. Many had tried. None had succeeded. Until, on 26th January 2012, James Castrission (Cas) and Justin Jones (Jonesy) made history by completing the longest unsupported polar journey of all time.
Following in the footsteps of the great polar explorers like Scott, Amundsen, Shackleton and Mawson, they battled frostbite, physical and mental breakdown, starvation, blizzards and crevasse falls. After 89 gruelling days they made it back to the coast more dead than alive.
Like Robert F Scott, a Norwegian had pushed them harder than they thought possible. But, unlike Scott, in a dramatic twist this Norwegian, Aleks Gamme, taught them lessons decades of adventure had not.
EXTREME SOUTH is the inspiring story of two Australian adventurers who realised an almost impossible dream. With honesty and humour, James Castrission outlines their preparation, the rich history of past explorers who inspired their efforts and takes us on their daring expedition, showing what can be achieved through hard work, tenacity and mateship.
Following in the footsteps of the great polar explorers like Scott, Amundsen, Shackleton and Mawson, they battled frostbite, physical and mental breakdown, starvation, blizzards and crevasse falls. After 89 gruelling days they made it back to the coast more dead than alive.
Like Robert F Scott, a Norwegian had pushed them harder than they thought possible. But, unlike Scott, in a dramatic twist this Norwegian, Aleks Gamme, taught them lessons decades of adventure had not.
EXTREME SOUTH is the inspiring story of two Australian adventurers who realised an almost impossible dream. With honesty and humour, James Castrission outlines their preparation, the rich history of past explorers who inspired their efforts and takes us on their daring expedition, showing what can be achieved through hard work, tenacity and mateship.
351 pages, Paperback
First published July 31, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
August 14, 2018
I first heard about Cas and Jonesy about 5 years ago. I was working in a conference environment and they had come to do an inspirational talk about their expedition across Antarctica. It took me this long to get around to the book (I was hoping to track down the doco they filmed but didn't have any luck).
Obviously, they achieved an amazing feat. Sadly, I didn't enjoy their story as much as I have other adventure stories. It took me close to 6 weeks to finish the book, not because it was challenging but I found it didn't grip me. Also, I wish that Jonesy had more to do with the authorship of the book. Although there are diary entries from Jonesy it's clearly skewed from Cas's point of view. They had some troubles along the way (90 days in Antarctica with no other company, what do you expect) but it felt like Cas was hypocritical in how he handled it. For example, at day 29 Cas had a breakdown, he was exhausted, in pain and Jonesy supported him through this and they took 2 rest days to allow him to mend. When the same thing happened to Jonesy at about 70 days (i think), Cas refused to 'help' saying they were both in survival mode and that's what needed to happen. Jonesy described it well in his diary entry, writing something along the lines of "Cas thinks he has a monopoly on pain".
Obviously, they achieved an amazing feat. Sadly, I didn't enjoy their story as much as I have other adventure stories. It took me close to 6 weeks to finish the book, not because it was challenging but I found it didn't grip me. Also, I wish that Jonesy had more to do with the authorship of the book. Although there are diary entries from Jonesy it's clearly skewed from Cas's point of view. They had some troubles along the way (90 days in Antarctica with no other company, what do you expect) but it felt like Cas was hypocritical in how he handled it. For example, at day 29 Cas had a breakdown, he was exhausted, in pain and Jonesy supported him through this and they took 2 rest days to allow him to mend. When the same thing happened to Jonesy at about 70 days (i think), Cas refused to 'help' saying they were both in survival mode and that's what needed to happen. Jonesy described it well in his diary entry, writing something along the lines of "Cas thinks he has a monopoly on pain".
January 26, 2022
The first unassisted 2 way walk/pull to the south pole. A tale of setting goals and pushing past all your boundaries to achieve them. A tale of survival and how important friendship is to that. A tale of forgiveness. A tale of sportsmanship.
Cas writes well and has included diary entries from their crossing. It is obvious that Cas and Jonesy know each other very well and have very different strengths and weaknesses. Most of the time this is to their advantage as when one is weak the other is strong but in the confines of a tent when both are physically and emotionally exhausted it can also be exasperating. I like the fact they were honest and talked through differences and did not let it affect their friendship negatively or allow anything to fester (except their feet, lips and scrotum). I like the fact the book is honest about when they doubted themselves and when they messed up. They are human but achieved something superhuman.
I would really like to read more of Aleksander Gamme's story. He seems to be a wonderful selfless individual and waiting to finish with Cas and Jonesy so they could all be "first" was such a huge act of sportsmanship I just want to know more about this inspirational man and what makes him tick.
Cas writes well and has included diary entries from their crossing. It is obvious that Cas and Jonesy know each other very well and have very different strengths and weaknesses. Most of the time this is to their advantage as when one is weak the other is strong but in the confines of a tent when both are physically and emotionally exhausted it can also be exasperating. I like the fact they were honest and talked through differences and did not let it affect their friendship negatively or allow anything to fester (except their feet, lips and scrotum). I like the fact the book is honest about when they doubted themselves and when they messed up. They are human but achieved something superhuman.
I would really like to read more of Aleksander Gamme's story. He seems to be a wonderful selfless individual and waiting to finish with Cas and Jonesy so they could all be "first" was such a huge act of sportsmanship I just want to know more about this inspirational man and what makes him tick.
May 14, 2020
Absolutely loved this book, I first read it many years ago when Jonesy gifted me a copy. We spent a few days together on a wilderness course.Thanks Jonesy. It was even better second time round, so honest and detailed throughout their journey. At times you could really feel their pain. A lot of reference to other explorers, this just added pieces to the puzzle, a damn good read.
May 7, 2020
Very motivating. Made me want to achieve the impossible.
July 29, 2020
Read front to back in 6 hours. The most humble, down to earth super-humans I know. Brilliant.
March 23, 2017
Such a great read, it's amazing what these Aussie boys achieved with their perseverance, friendship, impeccable planning skills and their love for adventure. Very well written with a healthy amount of history from past Antarctic expeditions woven throughout. Would recommend!
November 14, 2012
This was an excellent, frank account of the extreme journey Cas and Jonsey took to the South Pole and back. Written with honesty and frankness, it speaks of how far people can go in pushing themeselves to the limit. Recommended for a read on a warm summers day, not as I did on a cold night while camping.
February 13, 2013
A gripping and informative account of a ground breaking expedition to the South Pole. The narrative flows and I found it hard to put down. Uncensored and raw at times. The videos are also well worth a look.
March 9, 2013
Cas and Jonesy take you along on the extreme highs and lows of their inspiring polar expedition. In addition to a suspenseful read - I didn't have a sense of whether they'd make it or not (and didn't know) - the appendix is an invaluable expedition planning reference.
August 6, 2014
I appreciate the honesty of what they felt whilst undertaking this incredible journey. However I just couldn't seem to like the author, to me he came across as self centred and to put it bluntly a bit of a dick.
October 11, 2013
loved it through all the highs and lows. what a motivational read. well done for following your dream to the finish boys
September 3, 2014
loving it!! inspiring story of two close friends who conquered something that had previously not been done before..
well worth a read for any person interested in any type of adventure
well worth a read for any person interested in any type of adventure
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews