A Mearns man could become the first Scot to reach the South Pole solo and unsupported.
Luke Robertson, 30, is expected to achieve the feat early this week after a 730-mile trek.
He was inspired to attempt the ambitious undertaking after a medical scare two years ago.
Luke, from Stonehaven, went to his doctor after experiencing severe headaches and problems with his vision.
The following day, he was given a CT scan and he was told he had a suspected brain tumour. It turned out he had a rare, non-cancerous, enterogenous cyst.
Surgeons operated on him for five hours and removed a large part of the cyst, though a small section remains.
It was while in the Western General Hospital in Edinburgh that he met cancer sufferers and was inspired by them to finally do something he had always wanted to attempt venture to the South Pole.
Despite having a metal plate in his head and a pacemaker in his chest, which was fitted for a heart block when he was 23, Luke has been making excellent progress.
The Edinburgh finance worker started his epic journey from Hercules Inlet 36 days ago and it is thought that he will reach his destination soon.
Luke has dragged more than 17 stone of equipment across 730 miles of snow, experiencing temperatures of -50C and winds of 100mph. Whiteout conditions have halted his progress at times and he has even had to contend with Antarctica’s only insect, the midge.
He prepared for the trek in Norway, Greenland and at Glasgow University’s special cold chamber.
In the weeks before the trip, he dragged tyres around Edinburgh’s Blackford Hill.
Unassisted and unsupported, he receives no outside help such as a re-supply by air and no support from animals or vehicles.
By dragging everything behind him as he skies, Luke burns more than 10,000 calories a day.
He is raising money for Marie Curie on his long walk across the ice.
His fundraising target was initially £25,000 but he has already raised more than £40,000.
People can make donations at justgiving.com/duesouth2015.