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Polar Preet: Rising to the challenge
With a solo arctic voyage ahead of her, Preet Chandi also had an epic challenge for us…
Nicknamed Polar Preet, this remarkable explorer is no stranger to adventure. Having joined the British Army at 19, Preet began her mission to start pushing boundaries.
In 2022, she became the first woman of colour to complete a solo expedition to the South Pole.
“I just wanted to show that someone like me, a Punjabi woman from Derby, who knew nothing about polar travel, could do something extraordinary. I wanted to prove that it doesn’t matter what you look like, where you’re from, or what your starting point is.”
Tidal flows, shifting ice and the threat of polar bears
After a further two successful expeditions, Preet has set sights on a new challenge: to travel solo and unsupported to the North Pole.
Starting March 2026, Preet will attempt to traverse 500 miles pulling 130kg of kit across the most inhospitable landscape.
This trip is incredibly difficult. Despite being shorter than any of her solo Antarctic expeditions, the challenge is greater. Unlike Antarctica, the Arctic is a floating ocean covered by thin, shifting ice. The winds, tides, and currents constantly move the ice, creating open water leads, pressure ridges, and rubbled slabs that can tower over her. And there are polar bears!
Preet’s last-minute challenge to the Foundry
Having spent her life savings on missions to date, Preet is desperately trying to raise money from sponsors to fund this latest goal. Speaking with her was truly inspirational and we jumped at the chance to help her spread the word with a promotional video.
Timings were tight. From brief to execution we only had a few days. Preet was just about to head off on a training trip so the approval process was also a challenge. Nevertheless, we pulled out all the stops and turned around a compelling video for her launch event in London.
While she knows the chance for success is small, Preet is keen to inspire others, particularly those who face adversity.
She said, “I can’t explain how much bigger this is than just me. I want to inspire others to smash the glass ceiling into a million pieces. I hope you will join me.”
We’re incredibly proud to be part of Preet’s story. As you know, we’re outdoor warriors ourselves, so any campaign that encourages diverse groups to get out of their comfort zone is welcomed by us. While we may not all be polar explorers, Preet’s ambition and resilience sends out a great message to future generations. If you have an outdoor brand that needs a voice, get in touch.