Generally when you raid supplies, you are taking stock and using them for yourself. The Antarctic ‘Raid’ however is the opposite: traverses are used to transport heavy items and the trip across Antarctica takes ten days to complete, climbing over 3000 m from the coast to reach the plateau where Concordia was built.

Pulled by heavy-duty tractors, caravans-on-skis carry 150 tonnes of fuel, food and equipment each time. Once at Concordia, three days are spent unpacking and preparing for the return trip. The trip back to the coast generally takes two days less because it is downhill most of the way.

This new video in French from the Institut Polaire Francais features some great images and explains all: