Shackleton Centenary Expedition
As you might have noticed - our interactive map has been moved.
We wanted to show you that our focus has changed from the Expedition to the Foundation. If you're looking for the map, and want to listen to those daily broadcasts from Antarctica click here
The team experienced their first day of challenging Antarctic weather today. Listen to Henry Worsley's sitrep to hear more about the conditions. They also treated themselves to the first of their weekly "lie ins" so only sledged for 6 hours today instead of the normal 8.
A number of you have been asking why we are measuring in nautical miles rather than statute miles. The reason is primarily that that is the measurement used by the original Antarctic explorers, and all the map are in degrees and minutes. 1 degree of latitude = 60 nm and 1 minute = 1nm.
For those of you concerned about the rate of progress you should not be too alarmed. Robert Swan completed this route in 1985, and is keeping a watchful eye on our boy's progress. He reports that they are going along perfectly at the moment. We all expected the progress on the Ross Ice Shelf to be slow because of the snow conditions and the weight of the sledges. As they eat through their food the sledges get lighter. Also the going should be quicker on the Beardmore Glacier and the Polar Plateau.
Will Gow's report describes, among other things, the inaugural meeting of the Antarctic Malt Whisky Appreciation Society , when they enjoyed a tot of Caol Ila 16 year old (pictured above) last night! He also describes their supper (as requested by Julian Graham).
Will also describes the effectiveness of the Timberland equipment and wishes them well for the launch of their Shackleton range of clothing and equipment which has been inspired by this expedition. Click the Timberland logo below to view the Shackleton range.
Keep the questions coming. Henry W hopes to talk about wildlife and sounds (as requested by Caroline Burch) in tomorrow's report.
Finally, thank you for all the messages of support and encouragement. It makes the maintenance of the website and the writing of these bulletins all feel worthwhile!
To sign up for these bulletins by email click here.
Bob Greschke of the US Antarctic base at McMurdo has kindly sent some wonderful video footage (our first of the expedition). The video can viewed at our Vimeo site. Katie Leum, also from McMurdo, has sent 3 wonderful photos (see below).
Please note that the photos are high resolution so may take some time to download, but click on any of the pictures below to see the high-res version.
In the first photo (an utterly fantastic shot) the boys can be seen standing beside the cross at Hut Point which commentaries T Vince of the British Antarctic Expedition of 1901-1904 who lost his life in the vicinity in March 1902.
Below is the Night 2 campsite
Thanks Bob! Great photos.
The team were seen off from Hut Point on Sunday 16th November by a number of people from the US Antarctic base at McMurdo. Kevin Pettway, from the US base emailed to say:
I was recently given the privilege of meeting the three gentlemen on the SCE expedition. I met them at Cape Royds, near the Barnes Glacier, and then again at Scott's Hut near McMurdo Station. I've been down many times to Antarctica, and have had the opportunity to do some amazing things on all corners of this continent, but none of it compares to meeting these guys and being able to hold Shackleton's compass in Antarctica. I'll now do my part to spread the word to as many people as possible regarding this expedition and your foundation.The gentlemen on the expedition asked me to submit to you this flyer (see below) that my friend and I made. We posted this around town the night before they left so we could get as many people as possible to see them off. All pictures in the flyer were taken from your website. Also, I have attached a compressed example (taken by Nicole Alhadeff) of your men as they described the nature and purpose of their trip to the McMurdo townsfolk.
Henry Worsley said that everyone from the US base was incredibly friendly and it was all the team could do to resist offers of "wine, women and song" but it was important that the team did not accept anything from them in order for the expedition to qualify as being "unsupported". Bob Greschke of the McMurdo base took some photos and he is going to send some video as well.
We have also received some photos from Cara Sucher from the McMurdo Base - see below.
It is worth remembering that the interest shown by the inhabitants of McMurdo is understandable given that this expedition is only the fourth in history to head for the South Pole from Hut Point, and the last one (Robert Swan's) was in 1985!!
After 5 years of planning, training and fundraising the boys are now at Shackleton's hut,. Listen to an understandably happy Henry Worsley here.
The boys are now delayed at Patriot Hills due to poor weather on the route to Cape Royds. Listen to a rather frustrated Will Gow at the Shackleton Foundation website.
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Mission Statement
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Sir Ernest Shackleton is widely known as one of the most inspirational leaders of the twentieth century. The Shackleton Foundation is a new charitable trust.
Matrix Group are proud to be the Headline Sponsors of the Shackleton Centenary Expedition
The South Pole Gazette is a round-up of Antarctic news stories from around the web.
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Please don't hesitate to get in touch with the SCE if you have any questions regarding our project, or if you would like to know more about how you can become a sponsor.
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