Prince Harry's expedition begins trek to South Pole

Prince Harry, the fourth in line to the British throne, on Sunday began his long-planned final push to the South Pole, according to the organization sponsoring the trip.

 

Weather conditions had left it uncertain when the expedition could set out, reported Walking With the Wounded, the group sponsoring the mission.

 

However, Harry's team set out Sunday afternoon. 

 

The 15-day mission, which covers the remaining distance from their first landing point in Antarctica to the South Pole, will take the team 280 kilometres to the Earth's southernmost point. Twelve kilometres are planned for the first day.

 

Harry is accompanied by recovering war veterans, some who are making the trip with the aid of prosthetics. 

 

The expedition consists of three teams, who hope to reach their destination by December 16 and are raising money for military charities from their home countries, Britain, the United States, Australia and Canada.

 

Most of those taking part have been injured in battle.

 

Several have had legs amputated, while others have suffered blindness, burns and post traumatic stress disorder.

 

Hollywood actor Alexander Skarsgard, star of HBO series True Blood, is part of the US team and English actor Dominic West, from The Wire, is racing with the Australian and Canadian team.

 

The teams will complete the race in stages of around 15 to 20 kilometres a day and will face temperatures as low as -45 degrees Celsius.

 

Prince Harry, 29, who is patron of the Walking With The Wounded charity, took part in a five-day trek to the North Pole in 2011.

 

-Sapa