OS Explorer, Lt Col Henry Worsley (Grafton 78), dies in Antarctica
25 January 2016
It is with a heavy heart that we announce the death of OS Explorer Lt Col Henry Worsley (Grafton 78), who has died during a solo attempt to cross Antarctica.
Henry was the only person to have completed two classic routes of Shackleton, Scott and Amundsen, and he headed back to Antarctica in November 2015 to attempt the first solo, unsupported and unassisted crossing of the Antarctic landmass. Henry aimed to raise £100,000 for the Endeavour Fund, and to commemorate the centenary of Sir Ernest Shackleton's ill-fated Endurance expedition by tracing Shackleton's intended route from Berkner Island to the Ross Ice Shelf via the South Pole and the first ever solo descent of the Shackleton Glacier.
Sadly, his wife, Joanna, announced the news this morning that Henry had suffered complete organ failure as a result of exhaustion and dehydration, he died on 24 January. Henry was just 55 years old and a former Army officer. He was 71 days into his effort to become the first person to cross the Antarctic unaided. He died despite all efforts of staff at the Clinica Magallanes in Punta Arenas, Chile.
More details about his expedition can be found on his website, www.shackletonsolo.org
Our thoughts are with his family at this very difficult time.
News article links:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/antarctica/12120861/Henry-Worsleys-journey-wasnt-foolhardy-it-was-tremendous.html
http://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/prince-harry-pays-tribute-to-explorer-henry-worsley-at-invictus-games-training-a3168471.html
http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/this-is-the-side-of-antarctic-explorer-henry-worsley-that-the-media-shies-away-from-a6845381.html
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/men/active/henry-worsley-a-love-of-beauty-and-a-glint-of-steel-in-his-eyes/
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/life/i-know-how-henry-worsleys-wife-would-have-felt-waving-her-explor/