Irish trekker moves into polar position
Yesterday, as the frozen goal came within his grasp, Mr Barry’s thoughts must have focused on his fellow Kerryman Tom Crean who in November, 1912 was within 150 miles of the South Pole before his expedition leader Robert Scott ordered him to turn back.
Mr Barry, a 50-year-old father of three from Tralee, was yesterday taking the final steps towards polar history. At the beginning of this week the polar team had a mere 30 miles to go. Conditions were described as tough. “The cold dry air contributes to the snow crystals being razor sharp; this in turn causes excessive friction on skis and pulks (sleds),” said a dispatch from team leader Matty McNair.
