AN ADVENTURER is stepping up his training and his calls for sponsorship before he sets off on a epic self-powered trip to the South Pole.

Joe Doherty, 24 – alongside his good friend Oliver Robinson, 27 – will be tackling one of the world’s toughest challenges this winter as the duo spend nine weeks battling the extreme weather and conditions in one of the planet’s harshest environments.

Joe, who works as a learning and adventure manager in the Outward Bound Centre in Aber­dyfi, will spend 45 days dragging his 80kg pulk (sled) 566 nautical miles to the South Pole from the Messner Start over 45 days.

Antarctica preparations would seem like the last thing on anyone’s mind after the summer spell we have been having, but Joe Doherty has been doing just that, aiming to be the first Scout in the world to ski to the South Pole and back this November.

There is no real way to train for the -45-degree temperatures he will face or the 80mph winds he will encounter on the ice.

However, fitness is a key part of the training for the expedition as Joe has to ski 14 miles a day to try and ski 560 miles from the edge of Antarctica to the pole, almost the length of Britain.

So how has Joe been training?

“I’ve dragging tyres along the Tywyn sea front which seems to do the trick,” said Joe.

“Mountain biking in the Dyfi woods and hitting the gym regularly works too.

“I’m raining at least four times a week and has to pushing myself to my physical limit.

“I’ve been working with Solent University to get stronger and stronger but also to manage my weight as this is vital for staying alive in the cold.”

Joe must put on about 10kg of fat one month before leaving for Antarctica.

“If I don’t put on the pounds, I’ll lose too much weight on the expedition and could risk paying the ultimate price on the expedition,” he continued.

"I weigh 77kg now but will have to go up to 87kg. I expect to come back after 80 days weighing 65kgs."

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