Hi! My name is Ayuka Kawakami, a Japanese polar adventurer from New York City. I am currently aiming to embark on a 1400km sled-hauling cross-country ski journey alone from the coast of Antarctica (Goud Bay – North Berkner Island) to the South Pole in the winter of 2026. 

My goal as a polar adventurer is not only to complete expeditions that challenge me physically and mentally, but also to shed light on environmental issues in the polar regions and foster valuable collaborations between scientists and adventurers. In collaboration with glaciologists and marine biologists based in the U.S., I’ve collected snow and ice samples from hard-to-access locations in the Arctic for black carbon and microplastic research. I am a proud member of The Explorers Club.