Irish doctor on mission to cross Chilean ice cap

An Irish doctor and explorer who became the first woman from this country to reach the South Pole is attempting to make history for the second time as she bids to cross the treacherous North Patagonian Ice Cap in Chile.

Dr Clare O’Leary is joined on the mission by Kerry explorer Mike O’Shea as well as Canadian Bill Hanlon and Norwegian guide, Bengt Rotmo.

The journey involves boat trips on rivers and lakes, camping and horse riding with South American gauchos and climbing a glacier to access the ice cap.