Teenage social media celebrity found stranded in Antarctica following clandestine arrival in Chile
Ethan Guo, a 19-year-old American teen influencer, has been stranded in Antarctica since June 2025. The young aviator, who embarked on a solo trip to all seven continents for cancer research, landed his Cessna 182Q in Chilean territory without authorization, leading to charges against him.
However, a Chilean judge dropped the charges against Guo on 11 August, following his agreement to donate $30,000 to a childhood cancer charity and pay for all costs related to his aircraft and personal maintenance during his stay and for his eventual return. The judge also ordered Guo to leave Chilean territory and banned him from re-entering for three years.
Guo, who hopes to continue with his original mission of flying a Cessna across all seven continents, is currently awaiting official approval for a departure flight. Chilean prosecutor Cristián Crisosto has stated that Guo's Cessna "does not have the capabilities to make a flight" out of Antarctica, but experts warn that the plane likely could only leave Antarctica “in pieces,” indicating it cannot safely or legally fly out under current conditions or regulations.
The severe winter weather has also made flights unavailable for Guo, who has been staying at a Chilean Air Force base for the past six weeks. The difficulties of Antarctic travel relate to the continent’s extreme weather, lack of traditional airports, and strict regulations under the Antarctic Treaty, which limits unauthorized flights and requires careful logistical arrangements.
Guo's journey across all seven continents has already spanned 140 days and was inspired by his cousin's recent cancer diagnosis. Despite the challenges, he remains hopeful and expressed relief about the outcome of the charges, stating "I'm relieved by the outcome."
[1] Chilean authorities drop charges against Ethan Guo [2] Ethan Guo's Cessna unable to leave Antarctica [3] Teen influencer Ethan Guo's Antarctic Struggle [4] The Antarctic Treaty and its implications for Ethan Guo
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