Who became the first woman in the world to ski all the way to the North Pole?

Introduction / Context:
Polar exploration is a demanding field that tests human endurance in extreme conditions. Achievements such as reaching the North Pole or South Pole, especially by women, are often highlighted in general knowledge and current affairs. This question asks you to identify the first woman who skied to the North Pole, a notable milestone in adventure sports and exploration history.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The focus is on the North Pole, not the South Pole.
• The method of travel is skiing, not flying or sailing.
• We are asked for the first woman in the world to accomplish this feat.
• Options include Ann Bancroft and several other names, some of which may be distractors or less well known explorers.

Concept / Approach:
Ann Bancroft, an American explorer, is widely recognised as the first woman to ski to the North Pole. She completed this journey as part of an expedition that skied across the Arctic ice to reach the Pole, coping with extreme cold, shifting ice, and challenging navigation. Other names in the options either refer to people associated with different achievements or are not connected with this specific record. Therefore, Ann Bancroft is the correct answer.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Understand that the question is about polar exploration by skiing to the North Pole.Step 2: Recall that Ann Bancroft is frequently mentioned in reference works as the first woman to ski to the North Pole.Step 3: Note that the other names are not typically associated with this exact achievement.Step 4: Compare your memory with the given options.Step 5: Select Ann Bancroft as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
To verify, think of how polar exploration timelines list women pioneers. Ann Bancroft is often credited with two major milestones: first woman to reach the North Pole by sled and ski, and later participation in other polar expeditions. Documentaries and biographical articles highlight her role as a role model for women in adventure sports, which further supports her identification as the correct answer here.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
The names Alexandra Pavid, Meera Sahib, and M. Patanjali are not commonly recorded in standard references as first female North Pole skiers. Junko Tabei is famous as the first woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest and to climb the Seven Summits, but her achievements relate to mountaineering, not skiing to the North Pole. Therefore, none of these alternatives match the specific record described in the question.

Common Pitfalls:
Because many different firsts exist in exploration and adventure sports, candidates sometimes mix up records such as first woman on Everest, first woman to the South Pole, or first woman to sail solo around the world. Without carefully reading “ski to the North Pole,” it is easy to choose a well known name like Junko Tabei. Paying attention to both the location and the method of travel helps avoid this confusion.

Final Answer:
The first woman in the world to ski to the North Pole was Ann Bancroft.