In a world where adventure is often reserved for the privileged few, Harpreet Kaur "Preet" Chandi MBE, better known as Polar Preet, has carved her own path, defying expectations and rewriting history.
A British Army officer turned record-breaking polar explorer, Preet has taken the journey from the military to the icy wilderness of Antarctica. From running marathons to taking on some of the harshest environments on Earth, Chandi’s path to exploration was anything but conventional.
Her first encounter with endurance challenges came during army training exercises, but it wasn’t until a casual conversation with her boss led to the suggestion of Antarctica that she truly considered venturing into the unknown. With no prior experience in polar conditions, she immersed herself in research, trained relentlessly, and ultimately embarked on expeditions that would make history.
Over the past three years, Chandi has completed three solo Antarctic expeditions, breaking four Guinness World Records, including the longest solo unsupported one-way polar ski journey.
Now, as she sets her sights on the North Pole, Polar Preet shares with Asian Voice, her journey so far, achievements and the upcoming expedition.
For many years, you managed both army and your polar adventures simultaneously. How did you balance these dual responsibilities, stay focused on both, and manage to multitask? And most importantly, how difficult was it?
I won’t lie; it was tough. I loved being in the military; it gave me so much. But balancing my army career with something outside my role was a real challenge. In the beginning, people questioned why I was doing it, telling me to focus on just one thing. But I used every bit of free time, lunchtimes, evenings, and leave days, to train and go on expeditions. Every penny I earned went into funding these trips.
I often asked myself, “What am I doing?” I had no savings for this. I was supposed to buy a house, but instead, I spent a fortune on an expedition to Greenland. When I returned, I was exhausted, in debt, and straight back at work with no time to recover. In some ways, returning to work was harder than being on the ice. That experience taught me a lot. For my second expedition, I took unpaid leave, giving myself time to recover afterward. But I also got injured, and oddly, I was almost grateful because medical leave forced me to rest. After surgery on my leg, I finally had time to heal.
By my third expedition, I was on a career break, and I officially left the army in October last year. Balancing expeditions with military life wasn’t easy. Adventure took over everything; work, free time and finances. But the challenge made it more rewarding. There were moments I wanted to quit, but I kept going and looking back, I’m proud of that.
How much more challenging is your journey to the North Pole compared to your previous expeditions? How have you increased the difficulty level?
In Antarctica, my expeditions take place on solid land during the summer months (November to January), when there are 24 hours of daylight. The environment is extremely cold, dry, and windy—these are the defining characteristics of Antarctic conditions.
The Arctic, on the other hand, presents an entirely different set of challenges. Unlike Antarctica, which is a landmass, the Arctic consists of shifting sea ice. The terrain is unpredictable, with pressure ridges—massive ice blocks forming maze-like structures that I’ll have to climb over. There are also stretches of open water, requiring me to wear an immersion or dry suit, swim across, and drag my sled over the ice. And then there’s the ever-present risk of encountering polar bears.
In terms of difficulty, the Arctic is on another level. Many experienced explorers have told me that compared to the Arctic, Antarctica is far simpler. Knowing that I’m preparing for what will likely be my most challenging expedition yet is mentally tough. That said, the Arctic has a breathtaking beauty of its own. I’m both nervous and excited. Next week, I head out for training, and this entire year will be dedicated to preparing as much as possible for next year’s journey.
Could you explain the kind of physical and mental training required to prepare for something like this?
Physically, my focus is on building as much strength and endurance as possible. This includes dragging tires, carrying heavy weights on my back, and training in open water with my dry suit. Knowing what’s ahead, I try to prepare my body for the extreme conditions I’ll face.
Mentally, I always reflect on my second Antarctic expedition, a 922-mile journey that I wasn’t able to complete. It was one of the hardest experiences of my life. I got injured but pushed through moments when I genuinely thought I couldn’t go on. That experience stays with me, and whenever I face something difficult, I draw strength from it.
Failures are essential and build resilience. They’ve helped me develop the mental strength I need now, as I prepare for a challenge where, realistically, the chances of reaching the endpoint are slim. But because of everything I’ve been through, I feel mentally prepared to take it on.
Having taken this unique route and excelled in it, how do you reflect on your experiences? What have you learned along the way, and how do you hope your journey inspires more South Asians, especially women, to step outside the norm and pursue their own unconventional paths?
I've learned that when people say, "You can't do this" or "You can't do that," it often reflects their own fears rather than your actual abilities. Many times, these doubts stem from personal insecurities or a deep concern about what others might think.
I often joke that my family still sees my biggest achievement as getting married last year. And in many ways, it's true—traditional accomplishments are more widely recognised. Before my expeditions, no one really paid attention to what I was doing. It was just another adventure. Honestly, if the media hadn’t covered it, I doubt many people would have acknowledged it. Seeing it in the papers somehow gave it credibility in their eyes.
Over time, my family has come to understand, but reactions in the community remain mixed. Some are incredibly supportive, while others don’t even acknowledge it. If I worried about everyone’s opinions, I’d go crazy. So, I focus on what I can control and let go of what I can’t.
To other South Asian women, I’d say: just start. My journey began with a simple Google search. I knew nothing but kept learning. Stepping into unfamiliar spaces can be intimidating, but growth happens in those moments of discomfort. Whether it's moving to a new city or joining a new class, that initial unease fades. You belong. And if you don’t fully believe in yourself yet, do it anyway.
