On January 4, 1958, Sir Edmund Hillary's New Zealand team became the first to reach the South Pole using motorized vehicles. This event occurred approximately 70 years ago, following Hillary's earlier summit of Mount Everest.
Commonwealth Trans-Antarctic Expedition
Hillary's team was part of the Commonwealth Trans-Antarctic Expedition (TAE), led by British explorer Vivian Fuchs. Their assigned task involved establishing food and fuel depots for Fuchs's British crossing party. The overall expedition aimed to complete the first overland crossing of the Antarctic continent, a mission that lasted a total of 99 days. Fuchs was knighted in March 1958 upon his return.
Hillary's Advance to the Pole
During the expedition, Hillary's team's role in setting up depots positioned them ahead of the main party. Hillary communicated his intention to continue towards the South Pole rather than waiting at the supply depot. Explicit permission for this advance was not formally granted.
Using modified tractors, the team navigated challenging terrain, including soft snow, ridges, and crevasses.
Newspapers at the time quoted Hillary stating his team was "heading hell-bent for the South Pole, God willing and crevasses permitting."
Arrival and Expedition Completion
Hillary's team arrived at the South Pole on January 4, 1958. Fuchs and the main expedition party arrived approximately two weeks later. Upon Fuchs's arrival at the South Pole, his initial reported remark to Hillary was: "Damned glad to see you, Ed."
Following this, both parties completed the expedition together. Their return was met with public reception, described in some newspaper headlines as a "heroes' welcome."
Hillary's Self-Reflection
In his autobiography, 'Nothing Venture, Nothing Win,' Sir Edmund Hillary discussed his role during the Antarctic expedition. He wrote, "It was becoming clear to me that a supporting role was not my particular strength." Hillary also stated, "Once we had done all that was asked of us — and a good bit more — I could see no reason why we shouldn't be organising a few interesting challenges for ourselves." He further reflected on his view of the expedition, noting, "It was an exciting prospect as I saw us grow from a modest supporting role — very much the junior partner — into a major national operation."
Media Coverage
Newspapers reported Hillary's arrival at the South Pole with varying perspectives. The expedition's completion received widespread media attention, which included coverage of the mission's progress and the perceived competition between Hillary and Fuchs.
Some reports characterized Hillary's advance ahead of the main party. For example, on January 4, 1958, The Canberra Times published the headline 'Hillary at S. Pole after surprise run.' The article also noted, "Officially, there was no race between the two groups, but as The Times yesterday commented, 'Although there is no question of a race to the Pole, it is difficult to deny the sporting chance of the moment.'"
Historian Peter Carey noted that several British newspapers were "vociferously critical of Hillary's actions", describing him as "stealing glory" from Fuchs's party. Carey also stated that some New Zealand papers praised the achievement as "good 'ol Kiwi pluck" and a "triumph of a group of colonial battlers out-doing the British establishment."