SHAH ALAM — Malaysia's All Women Expedition to Antarctica (Aweta) team, which is on a mission to unearth a time capsule buried on the southern continent, reached the vicinity of the South Pole early on Wednesday (Dec 25).

The team, led by polar adventurer Dr Sharifah Mazlina Syed Abdul Kadir, arrived in Antarctica at about 2am Malaysian time and are now just 89 degrees from the South Pole, Bernama reported.

Aweta, which began its gruelling trek on Dec 18, is scheduled to complete its mission on Jan 3.

The time capsule was buried by Dr Sharifah Mazlina herself on her first mission to Antarctica in 2004.

According to an Aweta spokesperson, the team is in good shape and trying to acclimatise to the Antarctic climate.

“So far (today), the team has managed to travel two kilometres, and the weather there is sunny, with a temperature of about -29 degrees Celsius,” she said.

Finding the capsule might take some effort, as it could have shifted position or been submerged after being buried in ice for 14 years. There is also the possibility it has moved into the territory of the US Research Centre on the continent.

In addition to Dr Sharifah Mazlina, Aweta comprises a group of accomplished women: pharmacist Nurul Atiqah Tamarun, 31; Army Corporal Siti Jumaidah Bensali, 34; and Home Ministry administrative and diplomatic officer Salehah Abu Nor, 33. NEW STRAITS TIMES