The Project Cumbre group of Venezuelan explorers has travelled more than 100 kms in the first six days of its planned 1,200 km journey to the South Pole, local media said on Friday.

The travellers set out on Nov. 21 and reached the 100km point after travelling more than 16 kms on Thursday in temperatures of between 15 and 20 degrees below zero.

With more than 12 years of experience the Venezuelan team is made up of Marco Cayuso, Carlos Castillo, Marcus Tobia, Martin Etchevarria and Carlos Calderas.

In 11 days, the group has twice halted its hike for more than 24 hours, due to fierce windstorms that run in the opposite direction to the journey and also due to poor visibility on the frozen terrain of the southern continent.

The Venezuelans will face temperatures below 50 below zero in summer, when the strong winds that cross the gigantic desert-like continent mostly blow in the opposite direction to their travel.

According to first estimates, the Project Cumbre team, whose members reached the summit of Qomolangma in May 2001, will reach their goal at latitude 90 of the South Pole between the 15th and 25th of January next year.

Source: Xinhua