[tedunangst]

What is the definition of crossing Antarctica? It seems you have start at some point on the coast, go to the South Pole, then go to another point on the coast. But the South Pole isn't the midpoint. Nor are the two coastal points 180 degrees apart. Like what's the smallest angle that qualifies as a crossing? (If I hike along the France Spain border, is that hiking across Europe?)

Not to say it's any easier, but ever since these stories started coming out I've been wondering who decides what it means to cross the continent. Would going from Dronning Maud Land to George V Land, a journey of double the distance but passing north of the South Pole, count?

[Stratoscope]

His website has a map and discussion of the route:

https://www.colinobrady.com/theimpossiblefirst

[tedunangst]

That doesn't really explain the definition of crossing. If crossing a continent invokes going from one point to another, as one might reasonably assume, then why the detour to the South Pole? Why not simply go in a straight line between those points?

[dgzl]

I feel like going to the south pole is part of the overall goal. Also this particular flavor of accomplishment has never been done before, and I imagine they're less concerned about time, thus being less concerned about crossing the exact shortest distance. At the same time, I would bet there are already per-established base stations at the start and finish locations. Just a hunch though.

[baddox]

I don’t think the intention is to impress people by sneaking in the word “crossing.” I think it just means, well, walking across Antarctica a pretty long way with no outside support. That should be impressive enough. It’s not like it was easy because they didn’t choose the longest possible straight line through the South Pole.

[bacon_waffle]

Because South Pole has an airstrip and a summer tourist camp, in addition to the chrome ball to get your hero shot beside, being a place of geopolitical import, etc.

In general though; "simply" going in a straight line between two points isn't often the easiest (nor most interesting) way to get between two points.

[msandford]

Because how many people have been to the south pole? It's an elite club and if you're already going most of the way there, why not get two cards punched instead of just one?

[Stratoscope]

I don't understand the concern here. We're not saying Colin didn't cross Antarctica, are we?

So it seems like a hypothetical: "If someone takes Ted's Shortcut in the future, will that still count as crossing Antarctica?"

Maybe it will count, maybe it won't. But I'm happy to let those future people decide.

One thing we do know... If they take the shortcut, they won't get a photo like this:

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5a6191d112abd95e3292c...

[tedunangst]

Why can't I simply be curious about the geographical or geometric definition of a crossing? It seems like a straightforward question, but instead of answering it I get six replies about the friends you make along the way.

[Stratoscope]

It's an interesting question, but it doesn't have an easy answer. Words and phrases in English mean whatever you and I and everyone else agree on. And we won't always agree: words and phrases can mean different things to different people.

One person may define crossing Antarctica as a straight line, coast to coast, that intercepts the South Pole.

Another may say the South Pole isn't significant with regard to the continent of Antarctica. It's the South Pole of the Earth, but it's not that close to the geographical center of the continent. If you're really going to cross the continent, you ought to go through that geographical center.

Someone else may ask what is a coast? Do you include the great ice shelves? Do you have to start from the outermost edge of any ice shelf or can you start at the edge of the (smaller) landmass instead?

Another person, perhaps Colin, may say "Talk about this all you want, but here is where I am going. It's close to the route that previous Antarctic explorers have taken. I'm the one putting my life on the line, and I say I'm crossing Antarctica. But feel free to disagree with me."

[CydeWeys]

You're right that it would make more sense if the route had to go through the midpoint of Antarctica (defined as the point that is farthest from any coast) rather than to the south pole. That remains un-done. For now, the "through the south pole" route is the longest trek that's been completed.