Win a trip for two to Antarctica

Win a trip for two to Antarctica with the Natural History Museum and Aurora Expeditions valued at £10,000.

To celebrate the opening of our Scott's Last Expedition exhibition we are offering one lucky winner and companion of their choice a place on an incredible Antarctic Peninsula expedition. The expedition is departing from Argentina in November 2013 (dates and details to be finalised).

Witness soaring snowcapped peaks, sheltered waterways, sculpted icebergs, penguin rookeries, seals and whales on board the Akademik Shokalskiy or Polar Pioneer.

The fantastic prize is kindly donated by Aurora Expeditions, an Australian-owned expedition cruising company travelling to remote areas of the world such as Antarctica.

Aurora Expeditions offers small ships, small groups, low-impact and personal experiences and big adventures, carrying a maximum of 54 passengers on board the ship. Flexible itineraries, educational lectures by expert staff, an open bridge policy and numerous Zodiac landings attract adventurous souls keen to explore the Great South.

The closing date for the Free Prize Draw is Sunday 2 September 2012 at 23:59 BST (British Summer Time).

Antarctic expedition duo break record

Race to the finish to make last flight out

James 'Cas' Castrission and Justin 'Jonesy' Jones are just days away from successfully completing their attempt to become the first team to ski unsupported from the edge of Antarctica to the South Pole and back.

For the past 80 days, 29-year-old Cas and 28-year-old 'Jonesy have skied over 1900km – that's further than from Brisbane to Melbourne. Travelscene American Express is a Gold Sponsor of the record breaking attempt and General Manager Jacqui Timmins said the countdown is on as the pair battle on to make the last flight out of Antarctica next Friday, 27 January.

"Cas and Jonesy are on track to succeed in their push to finish in time but it's coming down to the wire," Travelscene American Express General Manager Jacqui Timmins said. "I've just been on the satellite phone with Jonesy and while they're tired, hungry, and exhausted, they are confident they will make the finish line in time."

"They have already smashed one world record by becoming the first to travel more than 1800km through the Antarctic unassisted and they're doing well to succeed in completing their Crossing the Ice expedition on time despite the heaviest snowfall in the region in years."

"Cas and Jonesy need all the help they can get right now as they push through the final week towards the finish line.  It's going to be tight but they're determined and they keep on keeping on. These guys couldn't even ski not that long ago and now they're managing an incredible 45kms a day."

"They're so incredibly grateful for all the support they've received from Travelscene American Express.  From messages of support from Members through to our support as a Gold Sponsor and travel partner, they're adamant that without our involvement, the expedition wouldn't have happened."

"Despite a mighty effort on a daily basis, it's going to be close," Travelscene American Express General Manager Jacqui Timmins said.

"As a Gold Sponsor of this incredible expedition, we're watching Cas and Jonesy' progress closely and we've got our fingers and toes crossed that the weather holds and that they're able to keep clocking decent distances on a daily basis."

"You can follow this amazing journey via www.casandjonesy.com.au and not only send Cas and Jonesy a message of support but also see via their webcasts just how truly tough this record-breaking trek is."

Mirroring their expedition, Cas and Jonesy are also looking to raise $100,000 for You Can, the youth cancer charity. 

Free exhibition at State Library NSW: Finding Antarctica

For full details see: Finding Antarctica: Mapping the Last Continent

Suite dreams on Antarctic cruise

Seal basks in the sunshine as Zodiacs from L'Austral tour Foyn Harbour. Picture: Roderick Eime. 

 

Guests examine the wreck of the Norwegian
whaling vessel. Picture: Roderick Eime.

TRAVELLING to the end of the Earth can now be done in hedonistic comfort, writes Roderick Eime.

Antarctica is for the hardened traveller, the gritty explorer and world adventurer used to privations and hardships. That is, until the arrival of vessels like L'Austral.

French-flagged cruise line Compagnie du Ponant (or just Ponant) has launched two of its planned three new-generation, green-certified luxury expedition cruise ships.

Le Boreal took to the seas in May last year, followed by L'Austral in June this year. A third, as yet unnamed, vessel will be launched in the middle of 2013.

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Port Lockroy celebrates 100 Years

Port Lockroy c.1962

By Roderick Eime, editor of Adventure Cruise Guide

One hundred years ago, the so-called Heroic Age of Antarctic exploration was at its height. Men like Scott, Shackleton, Mawson and others, forgotten to time, opened up the great Southern continent for science, exploration and adventure. Their exploits were consumed voraciously by the popular press, the adoring public following their every step as these incredible men, apparently impervious to hardship and deprivation, forged deeper and deeper into the harsh frozen realm in search of glory in the name of the great British Empire.

The Great War stifled many plans and left a world bruised and battered but Antarctic exploration continued, albeit subdued. In the Second World War, Britain was afraid its hard won Southern interests may be threatened and the secret Operation Tabarin was organised in 1943 to patrol and report on any enemy movements in the region around the Antarctic Peninsula. Bases at Deception Island, Hope Bay and Port Lockroy were expanded and manned by naval personnel who had no idea where they were headed. Issued sunglasses on their departure from Britain, they surmised their destination would be warm and tropical. Wrong.

Further bases were added and this effort gradually transformed into the current multi-national presence we see today. Visitors aboard Antarctic cruise vessels frequently visit these sites. Some are maintained while are others have been left to “benign neglect”. One in particular, Port Lockroy, celebrates one hundred years since its establishment, first as a whaling outpost, then 'Base A' as part of Tabarin in 1944.

Abandoned in 1962, but restored and preserved since 1996, Port Lockroy is now the most visited site on the Peninsula with visitor numbers hitting a peak of 17,000 in a recent year. As many as 30 vessels visit the 'living museum' in the course of a season (between November to March) and the little post office handles around 17,000 items of specially marked items of mail. The gift shop carries everything from postcards and books to fridge magnets and fleecies. One passenger from a private charter spent $12,000 in a single visit, so the little outpost certainly pays its way.

Once the preserve of the male-only British Antarctic Survey, Port Lockroy is currently manned, if that is the correct term, by a team of five, four of whom are women. Their duties include occasional surveys of the healthy Gentoo penguin colony and serving the stream of guests hungry for genuine Antarctic souvenirs. An additional Nissen hut has been built to enhance crew comfort, but otherwise the structure is faithful to its original design, complete with recreated radio room, kitchen and common areas.

“Anyone from any country can apply to work here for a season,” says Ulva the current base commander and officer of the UK Antarctic Heritage Trust, a not-for-profit charity set up to maintain the historic bases.”We're only supplied once a year, but also rely on help from the many cruise ships to bring additional items and ferry staff.”

Fancy a stint at an Antarctic base? Why not apply for a position on Port Lockroy? For information on the UK Antarctic Heritage Trust and its work, visit www.heritage-antarctica.org

Tourists' iceberg dilemma

An iceberg the size of the ACT is
blocking access to Mawson's Hut.

by Craig Hoggett | The Mercury

TOURISTS forking out top dollar to visit Mawson's Hut for centenary celebrations this summer are likely to face disappointment as the "Antarctic factor" heaves an enormous icy obstacle in ships' paths.

Expedition cruise ship MV Orion is due to start its 19-night Southern Ocean voyage on Thursday, with prices for the 100 passengers starting at $19,365 a person.

Orion expedition leader Don McIntyre said the Antarctic always had challenges but an iceberg the size of the ACT blocking access was "unique".

"Whilst it's not looking good, no one will know until we get there," Mr McIntyre said.

"We always maintain a simple philosophy we work with the Antarctic factor. You cannot dictate terms with Antarctica, it lets you in at its pleasure you have to work with it, you can't fight it."

A 2500 sq km tabular iceberg was part of a much larger ice mass that broke free from the Ross Ice Shelf in 1987 but subsequently broke up as it drifted westwards.

Parts of the "B9B" iceberg have grounded on the approach to the Mawson's Hut site at Commonwealth Bay.

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IAATO Launches New Website

The International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) has launched a new website, providing a wealth of new information for prospective travelers to Antarctica. The new site also features an expanded Media Center for journalists and enhanced features for IAATO members.

"The familiar URL www.iaato.org remains the same, but the similarity stops there," noted IAATO Executive Director Steve Wellmeier. "The new site provides much better graphics and navigation tools, including a search function and site map. One of our goals is to provide accurate information for the Antarctic traveler, particularly in the area of environmental stewardship, guidelines for visitors, and answers to the many questions they might have."