An American's Grand Slam: A True Adventurer's Unlikely Journey

On May 6, 2014, Ryan Waters and Eric Larsen became the last persons to complete an unsupported trip to the North Pole from land. They were the 9th person and first American to gain entry into the True Adventurers Grand Slam, having stood atop the Seven Summits and skied full-length, unsupported and unassisted expeditions to the North and South Poles. Waters' accomplishment was a result of hope, perseverance, faith, and a fair share of dumb luck. He had a simple credo: "you have to make things happen for yourself." After almost two decades of hard expeditions, his experiences included being on a hijacked airplane, rescue of injured climbers, the Everest Base Camp earthquake disaster, near misses with avalanches, the deaths of close climbing partners, and close encounters with Polar Bears.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 216 pages
Publication date: 01 December 2022
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield

On May 6, 2014, Ryan Waters achieved a remarkable feat that has yet to be replicated since. Accompanied by fellow explorer Eric Larsen, they stood atop the geographic North Pole, after a grueling 53-day journey traversing an ever-melting sheet of ice that relentlessly fought against them. By reaching the pole, the two adventurers became the last individuals to date to complete an unsupported expedition to the North Pole from land.

The once-thick and sturdy ice sheet that once connected the Pole to land in Canada has undergone significant degradation over the past few decades, rendering any attempts to cross it futile. While achieving the North Pole was a monumental feat for Waters, it also marked the completion of a project he had been tirelessly pursuing for over a decade: the True Adventurers Grand Slam. This prestigious achievement involved standing atop the Seven Summits and skiing full-length, unsupported, and unassisted expeditions to both the North and South Poles.

On that fateful day, Waters' accomplishment made him the ninth person and the first American to join this exclusive club. His resilience and determination in the face of adversity were evident as he thrived in battling through whatever the fates threw his way, even deliberately seeking out challenges. Despite having limited experience in cross-country skiing, Waters decided to embark on an ambitious journey to the South Pole. Instead of following the conventional route, he and his partner Cecilie Skog completed the first traverse of Antarctica without the use of resupplies or kites.

Starting from Berkner Island in the Weddell Sea, they skied through the South Pole and onto the Ross Ice Shelf, covering a distance of 1200 miles in 70 days. This remarkable feat occurred nine years before the highly publicized 2019 "race" across Antarctica, which gained widespread attention. To this day, Waters and Skog hold the record for the longest unsupported crossing of the continent without the use of kites.

Waters' journey to the North and South Poles is a testament to his unwavering spirit and determination. His unwavering commitment to pushing the boundaries of human exploration has inspired countless individuals and showcased the remarkable capabilities of the human body and mind. His achievements have solidified his place in the annals of adventure history and continue to inspire future generations of explorers.

Weight: 327g
Dimension: 231 x 152 x 16 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781493060054