Ann Bancroft

Ann Bancroft ( born September 29, 1955 in Mendota Heights, Minnesota) is an American polar explorer and author.

Life and work

After she received a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education from the University of Oregon, Bancroft worked as a sports teacher. This work, she gave up in 1986 to take part in an expedition under the direction of Will Steger to the North Pole. After 56 days, the international group had so successfully managed with the use of dog sleds.

In addition, she crossed Greenland on skis in 1992 and 1993, she led a South Pole expedition consisting of four women ( with Sunniva Sorby, Anne Dal Vera and Sue Giller ) to ski to the South Pole. 1060 km were covered here in 67 days. Bancroft was the first woman who reached both the North Pole and the South Pole.

In 2001, she crossed together with Liv Arnesen Antarctica. They used both sail and ski. In 94 days, 2747 km were covered thereby.

A planned with Liv Arnesen Arctic crossing in March 2007, which should draw attention to the problem of global warming and the melting polar ice caps, had to be canceled due to extreme cold and frostbite.

Honors

Due to their success, she was accepted into the National Woman's Hall of Fame of the United States.

Writings

• No Horizon is so Far: An Extraordinary Journey Across Antarctica. Ann Bancroft and Liv Arnesen. Da Capo Press. , 2003. ISBN 0738207942