TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan’s first ever Antarctic exploration team have returned to the island, Liberty Times reports.

A team of five explorers undertook a mission to reach the South Pole in December on behalf of Gamania Cheer Up Foundation—an organization that provides support for young people with depression. They arrived at their destination on Dec. 22, confronted by temperatures of around minus 50 degrees Celsius.

The team was led by Gamania founder Albert Liu (劉柏園) and comprised super marathon athlete Tommy Chen (陳彥博), actor and singer Chris Wang (宥勝) and two other budding adventure enthusiasts. Beyond the Arctic director Yang Li-chou (楊力州) was also invited to document the team’s long march towards their “big dream” of conquering the South Pole.

Liu sustained frostbite among other injuries, one of which left him unable to stand during a press conference following his return. During the interview, he produced a torn flag that had served as a group emblem during the trip, which he said perfectly described the treacherous climate on the continent.

Wang said while it is important to celebrate that they reached their target destination, the expedition was a grueling task and could not have been completed without everyone’s cooperation. They were only able to do so because each individual invested their entire body, spirit and heart into achieving their common goal.

The team departed Taiwan on Nov. 13 last year. The 660km coast-to-pole route originally planned had to be renavigated to a trip that sketched the continent’s icy plateaus due to dangerous blizzards.

Liu and the four explorers began at 2,545 meters above sea level. They overcame a 350 km journey, confronting perilous storms and extreme temperatures, to finally reach the South Pole on December 22 at 6 p.m. (Chile time).

The expedition was carried out in the name of the Gamania Cheer Up Foundation. Liu commented that he wished to show young people they can achieve their dreams if they seize the opportunities when they come.