The planet's southernmost landmass also contains 80% of the world's fresh water. There are places where the ice is over 10,000 feet thick, and the ice cap itself is more than 40 million years old.
The Antarctic Treaty was signed in 1959, which puts all territorial claims on hold ? so no-one actually owns Antarctica. It has been set aside as a scientific preserve, and military activity is prohibited in the region.

Andrew Moon and Andrew Regan will endeavour to cross the continent of Antarctica from the west coast to the South Pole...