March 5th, 2010 by admin

Speaking of the Seven Summits, our friend Alan Arnette has another good interview posted this week. This time Alan speaks with Chinese climber Lei Wang, who is closing in on the Adventure Grand Slam, which consists of reaching the top of the Seven Summits and skiing to both the North and South Pole. In Lei’s case, she has just Everest left to conquer, which she hopes to do this spring.

Like many who have completed the Seven Summits, Lei’s love of mountaineering began when she reached the summit of Kilimanjaro, the tallest mountain in Africa at 19,340 feet. That climb opened a sense of adventure in the young woman, and her desire to climb the remaining Summits was fueled further when she learned that no Chinese woman had accomplished the feat. Since then, she has stood atop Elbrus, Denali, Aconcagua, Carstensz Pyramid, and Vinson. Along the way, she also managed to go to the top and bottom of the world, on skis to both Poles.

In the interview, Lei talks briefly about her childhood in China, how things changed when she came to the U.S. to pursue an MBA, her first trip to the mountains, and a whole lot more. She touches on her training methods (puling those darn tires!), her mental preparation, and what it’s going to be like to tell her parents she’s going to Everest. As of the interview, she still hasn’t broken it to them. *gulp*

If she is successful in reaching the summit of Everest, Lei will become just the tenth person to complete the Adventure Grand Slam, putting her in very elite company with the likes of Max Chaya, Cecilie Skog, and Park Young Seok, who has also climbed each of the 8000 meter peaks as well. Pretty impressive accomplishment, and it should be fun to see if she is successful this spring.

March 5th, 2010 by admin

Twenty years ago yesterday one of the most amazing and ambitious expeditions to Antarctica, or just about anywhere else for that matter, came to an end, when a team of six explorers, from six different countries, completed a 3741 mile journey across that continent. To commemorate that anniversary, Jon Bowermaster posted an interesting article on the expedition.

Jon co-authored a book about the journey with polar explorer Will Steger, who was a part of the team. The book is called Crossing Antarctica, and it was recently re-released to coincide with this 20th anniversary. To get an idea of what this expedition was like, it lasted 221 days, beginning and ending in the Antarctic winter. The explorers traveled by dog sled, which would never happen again, as a year later, the Antarctic Treaty was amended to ban the use of dogs there. Jon also points out that the cost of the expedition was was in the neighborhood of $12 million, a budget that isn’t likely to be approached again soon.

Over the course of their Antarctic adventure, the team endured amazing challenges. The temperatures were generally around -40ºF, the survived a 60-day long blizzard, and they were constantly faced with supply issues. But in spite of all of that, they successfully crossed the most inhospitable environment on the planet. Their story is one of endurance, determination, and an adventurous spirit, as I can’t even imagine what it must have been like to roll out of their sleeping bags and warm tents for yet another day out on that barren and featureless polar desert. The men that made this journey were true explorers, and their real life adventure goes beyond most fiction.

20 years on, this is still an amazing accomplishment.

January 22nd, 2010 by admin

More news from the Antarctic today as one expedition comes to an end and another is steaming towards the finish line.

We’ll start with Ryan Waters and Cecilie Skog who are nearing the end of their adventure. In a dispatch sent out yesterday, they noted that they had made impressive time across the Axel Heiberg Glacier, which was the one remaining obstacle in the completion of their traverse of the continent. After a very long, 17-hour day, the pair covered plenty of mileage, passing some extremely treacherous terrain in the process.

The end of their dispatch reads as follows:

Today we covered 30 kilometers down the long and lovely glacier and can literally see the finish out below us on the frozen Ross sea ice.

Check here tomorrow for the breaking news…

We’re still waiting for a dispatch today, but it seems that their epic journey should come to an end very shortly, as the pair arrive at long last at the Ross Sea. Stay tuned!

Also, Megan McGrath posted a written note a few days back as well. It seems the intrepid Canadian adventurer didn’t spend too much time at the South Pole, as she was already back in Punta Areanas, Chili by Tuesday, and was heading home yesterday. Talk about a quick turn around!

Meagan says that her South Pole expedition was the hardest thing she’s ever done and this is coming from a girl who has completed the Seven Summits, including Everest. She says she is exhausted, and looking forward to some rest, but after a bit of down time, she’ll be back to training for her next adventure.

January 22nd, 2010 by admin

Way back in November I wrote about how the dome at the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station was being demolished and shipped home because it had been replaced by a newer, more energy efficient building. That dome had been an iconic symbol at the Pole for 30 years, and there was a movement afoot to get the dome reassembled back in the States as a monument to the research and exploration that has gone on there for three decades.

January 15th was the end of an era, as the deconstruction of the dome was completed at last. The photo below was taken of the entire team at the station, with just two sections of the dome still standing. After the photo was shot, those last two sections were taken down, and the building was officially decommissioned. You can find out more at SouthPoleStation.com and you can see this a larger version of the photo by clicking here.

While I’m sure the new, six story tall building, will be a fine home for the scientists, researchers, and staff at the Pole, it’ll hardly cut the horizon in the same way that the dome once did. It’ll be a very different view for the explorers that make their way to that spot in the future, that much is for sure.

Thanks to Lou-Phi for reminding me of this story. Much appreciated as always!

January 20th, 2010 by admin

As expected, Canadian Meagan McGrath reached the South Pole over the weekend, arriving yesterday after a long trek from Patriot Hills, and becoming the first person from her country to make the journey solo and unsupported. In an audio dispatch from the Pole yesterday, she talked a bit about the struggle to reach her goal over the course of the past few days, saying that it was very cold and difficult. She sounded excited and happy, and went on to thank her friends, family, and sponsors, without whom she couldn’t have made the journey.

You may recall that the expedition got off to a dubious start for Meagan, who fell into a crevasse back at the beginning of December. Fortunately she didn’t suffer any major injuries, and a few days later she resumed the journey, a bit behind schedule, but still determined to reach her goal. Now, 40 days later, she’s done it. Congratulations Meagan on a job well done.

Meanwhile, Ryan Waters and Cecilie Skog are continuing their traverse of the continent. We haven’t received an update from them since late last week, but at that time, they had encountered a treacherous area known as the Devil’s Dance Floor, a large, open expense this essentially a gigantic crevasse field. The pair stumbled onto the Dance Floor without even realizing it, but soon encountered deep and dangerous cracks in the ice. Deciding that discretion is the better part of valor, the elected to backtrack away from the dangerous area, and circle around it Since that time, there has been no word, but we can assume that they are still making their way at a rapid pace towards the coast. On the day they found the Dance Floor, they had made 41.4km distance, or roughly 25.7 miles. Impressive progress to say the least.

January 14th, 2010 by admin

National Geographic has a short piece, accompanied by some great photos on Robert Falcon Scott’s Antarctic Hut, which they call a “Time Capsule”, perfectly capturing the spirit of exploration and adventure from circa 1912, when the race to be the first to the South Pole was in full swing.

There is a major effort underway at the moment to save Scott’s hut, with experts in restoration working on the building, along with three others, hoping to prevent them from sinking beneath the snow and ice that is so dominant in Antarctica. The building is roughly 50 feet long and 25 feet wide, and was designed to be the base of operations for as many as 33 men.

While the building itself is a treasure, it is what was left inside that really has historians excited. They’ve found a number of very interesting items, including gear and other supplies, left behind by an expedition that took place nearly 100 years ago. Some of the things discovered included 100 year old butter, a primitive darkroom, all kinds of preserved foods, and even Scott’s bunk, complete with reindeer skin sleeping bag.

Scott’s story is, at least to me, one of the most tragic in the history of exploration. Back in 1911, the British explorer found himself in a race to the South Pole against Norwegian Rival Roald Amundsen. For years, men had been trying to reach the Pole, and failing, but these two men were locked in a desperate struggle to plant their flag at 90ºS. Scott would indeed eventually reach his goal on January 17, 1912, but imagine his supreme disappointment in finding Amundsen’s flag already there, taunting him. Amundsen himself had stood at the South Pole just 35 days earlier.

Exhausted and defeated, Scott and his four teammates began the long journey back to coast, a distance of 800 miles. Conditions were brutal, with lots of snow, high winds, and temperatures that plunged to dangerous lows. Of course, this precedes our age of high tech gear designed to keep us safe, and warm, and the men suffered greatly on the return trip. The journey took its toll, with one member of the party falling and suffering an injury that would claim his life a few days later, and another wandering out of the tent in the middle of the night, never to be seen again.

Scott, and his remaining companions were low on supplies and became trapped in their tent, while outside a fierce blizzard raged. For nine days they remained there, in a remote section of the Ross Ice Shelf, waiting for the weather to subside. Slowly, the ran out of food and strength, and eventually, the three men would perish. They were just 11 miles from their next supply cache, which would have likely saved their lives.

Scott wrote these words in his journal, which was later discovered by team that came looking for them:

We took risks, we knew we took them; things have come out against us, and therefore we have no cause for complaint, but bow to the will of Providence, determined still to do our best to the last [...] Had we lived, I should have had a tale to tell of the hardihood, endurance, and courage of my companions which would have stirred the heart of every Englishman. These rough notes and our dead bodies must tell the tale, but surely, surely, a great rich country like ours will see that those who are dependent on us are properly provided for.

Powerful stuff that sticks with me every time I read it.

January 12th, 2010 by admin

Things have quieted down some what at the bottom of the world, with the Kaspersky Commonwealth Team arriving back in London today, and Eric Larsen in Miami this morning as well. But there are still a few adventurers out on the ice, with a late season “last degree” team getting dropped off over the weekend as well.

Canadian Meagan McGrath continues her solo journey to the Pole and now expects to arrive on or around the 15th of January. In her most recent audio dispatch she says that she’ll miss the flight out on that day, so she’ll likely be staying at the Pole for a few days until the next plane arrives to retrieve the aforementioned last degree team. Meagan has now climbed to the top of the Antarctic Plateau, where everything is flat, and mostly featureless. She continues to make good time, but it seems like the journey has worn on her. She mentions that she is ready to get back home to friends and family soon, and it almost sounds like you can hear the weariness in her voice, which is understandable after 40+ days out on the ice.

Meanwhile, Ryan Waters and Cecilie Skog continue their traverse of the continent, having passed the South Pole and turned north once again. Yesterday was a rest day for the duo, who say that they are now battling major weight loss after weeks of strenuous, calorie burning activity day in and day out. When they resumed their journey today they had 132 miles to go until they reached the top of the glacier they were currently focused on. From there, they’ll descend back to the coast, finishing their expedition in style.

The season is wrapping up quickly now. It appears that Meagan will finish up her journey late this week and then it’ll be a race to the coast for Ryan and Cecilie. After that, the continent will shut down once again, until late 2010, when a new crop of adventurers will make their way across the coldest, driest, and highest place on Earth.

January 10th, 2010 by admin

While things have quieted down a bit at the South Pole, now that the rush of teams have moved through, there is still plenty of action to be had at the bottom of the world, where some explorers are heading home and others are still continuing their expeditions.

One such team consists of Ryan Waters and Cecilie Skog, who reached the Pole back on New Year’s Eve and spent some time resting at the research station there. But their journey didn’t end when they reached 90ºS. In fact, it was the half-way point of the expedition which will see them making a traverse of the entire continent. Ryan and Cecilie have now turned north once again, and are on the 57th day of their journey. In their last update, they were camping at 3019 meters (9904 feet) as they approached the Titan Dome, which tops out at 3100m (10,170 feet) in the Queen Maude Mountains. The duo have a long way to go yet, and admit to being tired, cold, and hungry most of the time, but the battle is more mental than physical at this point, as the struggle against the harsh Antarctic conditions.

Meagan McGrath is still making her way south, with her eyes firmly set on reaching the Pole. In her most recent update she reported that she was struggling against the worst conditions she’s faced yet, including lots of big sastrugi and high winds, both of which have slowed her progress. She says that she has been having long days recently, as she sets a daily goal for mileage, and doesn’t stop until she reaches it, which means she could be going several extra hours each day as she struggles to hit her target distance.

The other major teams have begun their journey home, such as the Kaspersky Commonwealth Expedition. After spending a few days in Patriot Hills, they’ve now flown back to Punta Arenas, Chile and are preparing to say their goodbyes and go their separate ways once again. Before that happens however, there will be a welcome home party on Monday, January 11th at 6:30 PM at the Commonwealth Club, 25 Northumberland Avenue, London. Everyone is invited, and it’s an opportunity to ask the team about their amazing adventure. If you’d like to attend, you can send your RSVP to tim@commonwealthexpedition.com. Wish I could go!

Eric Larsen, along with Bill and Dongsheng, are also back in Punta Arenas, and making the final preparation to head home as well. Eric has written an excellent piece on their journey that not only encompasses the hardships of travel in the Antarctic, but also the beauty of the place as well. He talks about the fact that the team was at the Pole for less than 24 hours, and then in a flash they were whisked back to the Pole, and the journey was done, before they knew it. He uses the word “bittersweet” to describe his feelings, and his insights are very interesting to read.

Finally, the Shackleton’s Unfinished Journey Team is also off the ice and back in Chile too. They’re setting out for home today, and will be arriving in Heathrow at 10 AM local time tomorrow.

January 6th, 2010 by admin

There has been a lot of action at the geographic South Pole since my last update on the progress of teams in the Antarctic. Several more have reached their goal, while other explorers continue their march to 90ºS.

We’ll start with Ryan Waters and Cecilie Skog. The pair, who set out on an unassisted expedition to the Pole in early November, reached that destination on New Year’s Eve and kicked off 2010 in grand fashion. It took them 49 days to complete the 730 mile journey. But that is just one milestone for this ambitious pair, who will now turn north once again, and make their way to the Axel Heiberg Glacier along the Ross Sea. When they are finished, they’ll have completed a traverse of the continent.

The Shackleton’s Unfinished Journey Team also reached the Pole on New Year’s Eve, completing their last degree (plus) ski expedition. They began their journey at 88.23ºS, the location from which Ernest Shackleton turned back 100 years ago, and by reaching the South Pole, Katie Walter became the youngest person to make that journey on skis. She’s just 17 years old. Quite a way to spend your Christmas holiday, huh?

Eric Larsen, Bill Hanlon and Dongsheng Liu completed their journey to the Pole as well, finishing their journey on Saturday, January 2nd. The team was pushing hard the day before, and came within five miles of the finish line, when they decided to take a break and get refreshed, before pressing on. Since their arrival, Eric and the boys have been touring the research station and catching up on some much needed rest, before heading back to Patriot Hills, and eventually home.

Meagan McGrath last checked in on January 1st, sending New Year greetings to everyone following along at home. She says that it was her best day yet out on the ice, and that she was very happy with her progress. She also promises more details on her expedition, the weather, and terrain, and so on now that the holidays are behind us. Meagan also reached another milestone on her solo, unassisted journey to the Pole by passing the 86ºS mark.

Finally, the Kaspersky Commonwealth Team remains in Antarctica, although they have left the Pole and are now back in Patriot Hills, where they are sorting their gear and preparing to be plucked from the ice by ALE. Reportedly, the weather is calm and warm, at least by Antarctic standards, and while the girls are happy to be done with their journey, they have bittersweet emotions about leaving each other, and the ice behind, as they head back to their respective countries.

On a personal note, I want to congratulate all the teams for a job well done. Reaching the Pole is an amazing accomplishment, and I have a lot of respect to these men and women who challenge themselves to make the journey. Well done everyone!

January 2nd, 2010 by admin

Jon Bowermaster continues his journey through Antarctica, sending back dispatches to his blog, sharing his thoughts on the place that has become quite important to him on a personal level.

A few days back, Jon posted a story about his first journey to Antarctica, 20 years ago as part of an assignment for National Geographic. Jon joined Polar legend Will Steger and Jean-Louis Etienne, as they completed an epic 3741 mile journey across the frozen continent by dog sled. It would become the first successful journey of its kind and the last by dog sled.

Of great interest are a couple of journal entries from Will from the last week of 1989, exactly 20 years ago, in which he discusses some day-to-day issues with the expedition, including his flagging dog team and thoughts on acclimatizing to the conditions. His December 25th entry marked the team’s 152nd day out on the ice, a true testament to the endurance necessary to complete such an amazing journey.

Jon notes that they are preparing a book on the expedition to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the crossing. It sounds like it’ll be quite the interesting read, so keep your eyes open for it in the near future.

Also, a big thanks to Jon for reposting one of my Antarctic expedition updates from a few days back. It is much appreciated!