Mercedes:
  Pole to Pole is finishing today. it's another magic day, just like the last ten months. The dream came true, and we are laughing, crying and playing around the South Pole. Tons of pictures, flags, banners, Sang Soo filming, smiling people, faces from the American base that even, despite the extreme cold, came to welcome us. The plane that is going to bring us home arrived at the South Pole in the same moment that we did, and flashes continue to flood my mind from the moment I saw the plane. I am absolutely grateful and happy and like every time we look forward to the next step. What's next? I find myself full of motivation to start this new millennium with passion and strength, feelings that I have been discovering along the journey and feeling that all humans in this millennium takes the risk to challenge themselves, to discover, to search.

Jay:
  From the "North Pole" to here, the "South Pole." It was a long and hard journey. Sometimes I had a great time, but sometimes it was hard to just keep on going. Because it was so long and difficult, I could learn a lot of things. There are a lot of great memories and experiences, a good textbook for me. I'll always keep this great journey in my mind, real deeply.

Heidi:
  I am at a loss for words. There is so much to say, but no way to express it. The end. The South Pole. The sadness of leaving the team, the excitement and fear of the unknown future. The confusion of there not being something else for Pole to Pole. The feeling that there is something more, that we aren't over yet, that somehow Pole to Pole will never be over for me, living and burning inside, changing but always remaining the same. Trying to live each moment to the fullest, trying to remember every second, every feeling, knowing it will feel like a big hole, like something is missing when we leave our Pole to Pole family. Knowing that I have changed but not completely understanding how. There are few things I am sure of but I know, deep down inside, that we are just the beginning of something that will make a difference, that will fulfill a dream of global change and awareness. I believe in the power of dreams, I believe we can all do anything that we set our heart and mind on. By taking our risk, looking our fear in the face, and believing that we are bigger and stronger than it is. Pole to Pole has taught me that, and countless other things but this is what we all can learn, what we need to learn for the next millennium. Happy New Year, make it bigger, better, more exciting, more daring, more hopeful, more fulfilling, just make it more. Dream your dreams, then make them come true. It's hard, it can hurt, but you won't regret it.

Devlin:
  Last Steps
After a day that lasted forever we finally arrived at the South Pole. It was a quiet time nearing the pole and I was singing my national anthem with pride in my heart and a lump in my throat. For some it is a sad time and an ending, but for me it is a powerful and new beginning. Yes Pole to Pole is over, but we can only go on more powerfully. At the Geographic Pole, I read the sign with quotes from Scott and Amundsen. They were great explorers of the physical, however we are great explorers of another kind. We have explored human potential and we have all reached our own pole. A place where the power of one is real and we can use it to the best of our ability. What an awesome gift we have found?

Renaud:
  The South Pole is at the crossing of all the meridians and it's as though it were part of all the time zones at once. We have been lucky with our pick-up and spent six new years there. Then we flew back to Patriot Hills, Adventure Network International base camp. A few climbers were there waiting to go on Vinson Massif and we all had a great time somewhere amongst white Antarctica. Tomorrow, in two days or in one week, or more, the weather will allow us to fly back tocivilization and each go on our way. Naoki is already separated from the rest on his Antarctic quest for the seven summits. For me, something else will start, I do not know exactly what for now but for sure a few things have changed. I discovered myself more, how to interact with others and many countries. One of my biggest reactions is created by the differences between countries and in each of them. And what I call important ideas got very important for me and got added to the values I had before: global citizenship and sustainable development. Those are with some taste of adventure, the values that the next Pole to Poles will carry all over the world. How will I be able to not stay connected to these next editions? I do not see any way for now, so let's work on it! And, as it is my last web site update, I will make an attempt to sum up my feelings: I moved to activities and places that I didn't always know, discovered and opened my eyes and did what I could to help or improve a few things. Moreover, I had a lot of fun doing this. Do you want to try? Cheers to all, happy new year, millennium, and life.

Jessica:
  How can one describe the feelings that rush through the body and soul at the sight of the grand South Pole merely feet away from you after ten long months and 35,000 km of struggle and ease, of tears and laughter, of disagreements, and forever friendships? It's like an electric current of every emotion imaginable rippling through every nerve, every cell and the only way I could attempt to show it was a mix between tears and laughs, while jumping up and down hugging my family of ten in disbelief that I was standing in front of our final destination. I believe that we all felt an overwhelming feeling of empowerment at the realization that any dream, no matter how far fetched or seemingly impossible is in fact quite within reach. More often than not it takes huge amounts of sacrifice, of sweat, of toil, but more than anything, I see that it just takes an incredible burning passion and a deep desire for my dream, my goal. We are all capable of so much more than we think, all we need is the clear vision in our mind that pushes us forward with love, and strength and confidence. We can make huge changes, huge differences, huge leaps in life, all one step at a time. Dream big. One great man did and look at where it took many...where it is just beginning to take millions...so risk, reach, don't be afraid to fall a few times, just keep getting back up and keep dreaming! Happy New Millennium!!! :-)