Captain Kim Young-mi (44, North Face Athlete Team) has successfully crossed the Antarctic continent alone, increasing interest in the clothing and equipment he wore.
On Nov. 8 of last year (local time), Captain Kim departed from Hercules Inlet (80°S) on the Antarctic coast and arrived at the South Pole (90°S) 49 days and 3 hours later, at 6:44 p.m. on Dec. 27 of last year. He completed the solo crossing of the Antarctic continent, covering approximately 1,700 kilometers, at 12:13 a.m. on Jan. 17 (local time), after 69 days, 8 hours, and 31 minutes.
According to industry sources on the 31st, Captain Kim's solo crossing of the Antarctic continent was supported by his affiliated team, Youngone Outdoor North Face.
Since launching the brand in Korea in 1997, North Face has supported domestic climbers and explorers. Previously, they had also supported Captain Kim's 'solo crossing of Lake Baikal (2017)' and his achievement as the first Asian woman to reach the South Pole alone (2023). North Face provided comprehensive financial support and leveraged the expertise of its in-house task force for this Antarctic crossing. They focused on reducing the weight of the clothing and equipment Kim wore and improving functionality for safe exploration.
Captain Kim set out on the expedition wearing the 'Summit Series,' North Face's top-tier technical line preferred by outdoor professionals. The 'Himalayan Light Parka,' which is lightweight yet offers excellent thermal insulation and quickly wicks moisture from sweat and heat, helped maintain Kim's body temperature during the Antarctic crossing. The 'Kantega Gore-Tex Jacket,' which excels in waterproof, windproof, and breathable functions, effectively protected him from the harsh snowstorm conditions outside.
As a result, Captain Kim took 20 more days to reach the South Pole in January 2023 compared to his previous attempt. The distance exceeded 600 kilometers. During the 2023 expedition, he lost 14 kilograms, but this time he successfully completed the journey despite the temperature dropping to -30 degrees and facing blizzards and crevasses.
In relation to this, Captain Kim noted in his social media post titled 'Letter from Antarctica 14' on the 20th, 'I would like to thank the North Face technology development team, product team, and planning team for developing clothing and equipment that enable survival in the extreme Antarctic environment, even when blizzards blow fiercely without pause. Although I ate alone, slept alone, and walked alone, I felt more than ever that there is nothing in the world that can be accomplished alone.'
Market observers believe that Youngone Outdoor's accumulated technology and know-how from supporting explorers, including Captain Kim, has positively impacted the innovation and competitiveness of North Face products, enhancing the brand's stature. According to industry sources, revenue for Youngone Outdoor, which operates North Face, is estimated to have exceeded 1 trillion won last year.
Meanwhile, Captain Kim is expected to return through Incheon International Airport early next month. North Face plans to release a documentary that closely covers Captain Kim's 'solo crossing of the Antarctic continent' to encourage more people to experience a better coexistence with nature and to share the value of 'exploration that never stops.'