The Kerry mountaineer, Mr Mike Barry (50), said he was in good shape after becoming the first Irishman to walk to the South Pole after a 700-mile/1,200 kilometre trek.
The ascent involved a climb of over 9,000 feet. The main obstacle was wind-sculpted snow columns of up to four feet in height which were impossible to see in blizzard conditions.
The group leader was US/Canadian polar traveller and guide Ms Matty McNair.
Barry's fellow participants were Hong Kong-based pilot Mr Ray Middleton (43), financial publisher and former British Army officer Mr Alex Blyth (42), and commercial lawyer Mr Iain Morpeth (49).
Mr Barry, a member of the first and successful Irish Everest expedition and the first Irishman to climb Mount Aconcagua in Argentina, has achieved a target almost attained by Irishmen Sir Ernest Shackleton and his fellow Kerryman Mr Tom Crean. Mr Barry said he estimated he had lost a stone and a half during the trek. "There was no frostbite, just a bit of windburn, and everyone is in good form," he said.
In a separate development, members of the Tom Crean Society have departed for South Georgia and Elephant Island to honour the Kerryman involved in one of the 20th century's most daring sea rescues.
