10 epic photos from man’s harrowing solo journey across Antarctica — a world first

Endurance athlete Colin O'Brady became the first person to traverse across Antarctica without any assistance, concluding his arduous 54-day, 930-mile journey on Wednesday after beginning in early November. 

O'Brady's wife, Jenna Besaw, told the Associated Press her husband was ecstatic at the feat and grateful for all the support along the way. "I did it!" he told her over the phone. 

O'Brady might've been alone with his sled while trudging through the polar continent in chilling temperatures, but thanks to social media the rest of the world got a glimpse of the grueling mental battle he fought through via daily posts covering his emotions and challenges. 

The 33-year-old from Portland, Oregon, documented his nearly entire journey – which he called "The Impossible First" – on his Instagram page.

Here's a look at the 10 craziest parts of O'Brady's journey: 

1. The last 80 miles (129) kilometers were completed in one big, impromptu final push that lasted a whole 24-hour span. O'Brady tabbed it "The Antarctica Ultramarathon" and quoted Nelson Mandela's "it always seems impossible until it's done" at the finish line. Feeling good on the home stretch, he just went for it. 

"While the last 32 hours were some of the most challenging hours of my life, they have quite honestly been some of the best moments I have ever experienced," he wrote. 

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