Bancroft, Ann (1955–)

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Bancroft, Ann (1955–)

American explorer. Born 1955 in Mendota Heights, Minnesota.

Became the 1st known woman to cross the ice to the North Pole, as a member of the Steger International Polar Expedition which used dogsleds to travel 1,000 miles in 55 days (1986); led the 1st east to west crossing of Greenland by American women (1992); led a 4-woman American Women's Expedition to South Pole, becoming the 1st woman to cross the ice to both Poles (1993); with Norwegian explorer Liv Arnesen, became the 1st to cross Antarctica's landmass by sail and ski (2001); is an instructor at Wilderness Inquiry and founder of the Ann Bancroft Foundation which celebrates the achievements of women and girls.

See also memoir (with Arnesen) No Horizon is so Far (2003).