The Expedition: Two Parents Risk Life and Family in an Extraordinary Quest to the South Pole

by Chris Fagan

Meet Chris and Marty―a married couple working on their careers, raising their only child, and chasing big adventures. At midlife, they suddenly find themselves weighing the responsibility of parenthood against the possibility of one more grand adventure, before their aging bodies and the warming continent of Antarctica further degrade. They ultimately decide it’s time to pursue their biggest Ski 570 miles from the edge of Antarctica to the South Pole. With no guide or resupply. From the lush Pacific Northwest to the barren landscape of Antarctica, Chris and Marty embark on one of the hardest challenges on the planet. After three years of intense planning and training, including meticulous preparations for the care of their twelve-year-old son, they are ready. Experience a boundless white wonderland like no other on earth. Encounter life-threatening dangers lurking in the bitter cold. Feel the intensity of 220-pound sleds, relentless wind, 40-below temperatures, and mind-numbing isolation. This is not an average couples getaway. Chris and Marty go where few others have dared on the way to making history―stretching their bodies, minds, and marriage to the limit in the process. Riveting and inspiring, The Expedition is about the power of family and community, the adventurous spirit that dwells within us all, and breaking through to feel fully alive.

Genres: Memoir, Adventure

304 pages, Paperback

Published September 3, 2019

Reviews

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Chris Fagan for writing about the expedition she and her husband Marty made to Antarctica. I feel, that by reading her book, it's the closest I'll ever come to the continent at the bottom of the world. And, even if I ever get to Antarctica, I would not try to do what the Fagans did--ski 570 miles from the edge of Antarctica to the South Pole, pulling 220-pound sleds behind them in 40-below temperatures. I would rather go where the penguins were and spend time watching them!
For the Fagans, skiing to the South Pole -- without a guide or resupply -- was to be the supreme challenge of their lives. Chris relates the several years of preparation and training it took even before they got on the Antarctic ice. Then we follow the couple as they stretch themselves to the limit, not just physically, but also mentally. What I think was actually the hardest part was that they had left their 12-year-old son Keenan behind in Seattle. Were they right to risk their lives and possibly make their son an orphan? Fortunately, they secured good care of Keenan with the help of friends and family--and they did survive to come back to him.
It's an inspiring story reminding me that there is an adventurous spirit in all of us. We just have to go for it, at least, sometimes!

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspirational, well written, and exciting! I loved every minute of reading about this amazing journey to the South Pole!

[Katie Bissmeyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was very good! It’s well written and informative. I love how reflective and honest the author is about her strengths and weaknesses.

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

BOOK REVIEW ❄️🇦🇶🐧

"The Expedition"
By Chris Fagan

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

"Embrace the lows. Just keep moving forward. You can do this," so said Chris Fagan as she and her husband skied 550 miles, unsupported and unguided, across wild Antarctica.

This memior had it all; self-discovery, lessons about being a parent, tools for effective communication with your spouse, all while pushing your mind and body past it's breaking point on an adventure of a lifetime.

Truly, Chris' story was so inspiring as she pushed herself further than she'd ever pushed herself - even more than running multiple 100-mile races and climbing Mt. Denali. No one made her push her test her limits in the coldest place on earth. She wanted to live a life of adventure, even if it wasn't easy. Reading about her inner strength and honesty has a way of putting your own struggles in a different perspective, giving you renewed fortitude. You can do so much more than you think.

Plus, it's Antarctica!! I love Antarctica!! It's the last wild, beautiful expanse, and I've always wanted to go!

[Lidyaa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this book is like reading a traveling journals. It takes me to be a witness of exploration that had prepared and executed well.

Some people at the book club question my choice. Why did I collect this book to be my book of the month?
The answer is simple, this book is carried by a Woman/Mom/Wife.

I learn few things from completed this book. First, it took long hours of highly preparation. Second, there were days where facing family ,specifically parents, and telling them about a huge choice takes enormous bravery. Third, making contact with people outside made this exploration bearable to stand. One of careful plan I must adopt.
So, in conclusion I must say thank you for sharing us your journey . It means a lot .

[Tim Mathis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read

Great book! The thing that stood out to me is that this is a book about the way adventure impacts your family and friends as much as it is about the polar expedition itself. And it defies stereotypes about adventure as a selfish act because it chronicles the way the whole family grew through the process.

[Karla Pollack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thought it would be a dry recounting of endless snow and ice. Wrong! Totally enjoyed the life affirming story of the Fagan family and friend’s adventures to the South Pole. And the narration was excellent too. I couldn’t figure out how to access photos in audible so may need to check out the book as well.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Note: totally biased review.
How can I not give this book (and Chris Fagan) 5 stars? She was inspiring others way before she shares this stunning achievement with the rest of us. And every word sounds just like you, Chris.

[Lynn Barbre · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read!

[Brittany Jacobson · Rating 5 out of 5]

So. Stinking. Good.

[Paula · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having been to Antarctica on an Expedition Trip and absolutely loved it, but mine was not the rigorous, challenging, punishing trip by the author and her husband, I was interested in reading the book. While it is unlikely I would have read it on my own, it was chosen as a book club item for a Meet Up group called Bold Travel Women of Tacoma. You may find it more fascinating than I did. I am athletic but not so much as these two in the memoir. It is the account of the preparation, training and travel unescorted, unsupported and unguided of their trip skiing to the South Pole. It is an arduous trip. It was interesting to read about how they trained and prepared for the trip and the struggles during the trek. You may well like it better than I did. I will only say I probably wouldn't have finished it had it not been for the obligation of the book club and I won't be recommending it to anyone. I do admire the strength, grit, determination and sacrifice required for this adventure. But I've read quite a few travel memoirs and liked them. This title will likely never make it off the bottom of my list. If I meet someone wondering what doing this might be like, then I might steer them to this book. I loved my time in Antarctica and may well go back one day but I didn't like this accounting.

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/be...

[Lisa Porter · Rating 3 out of 5]

The writing was rather boring but the story is quite incredible. I wish I could rate it higher.

[Diya Nair · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was slow in the beginning. Towards the end it got interesting. Not my type of book so I didn’t enjoy it was much.

[Mindee]

4.7
Audio