June 2013

In the Antarctic community the winter solstice is a significant event for it marks the slow return of the sun. The latitude of where you are on the continent will determine how long the winter darkness lasts but for all who winter here the passage of Mid-Winter’s Day is a very significant event. It means that the sun is slowly on its way back and the day when it actually appears above t…

Since I returned from Antarctica on the good ship SA Agulhas in February, my administrative duties have settled into a routine which even the least adventurous amongst us would find somewhat mundane. However, like many of the expedition’s followers, I have been gripped by the unfolding story and the never ending stresses and sheer physical demands that our five stalwart colleagues have endured…

This afternoon it was our pleasure to receive this message of support from Colonel John Blashford-Snell, President of the Scientific Exploration Society, who kindly invited us to share it with our followers. “I have read the progress reports of the expedition with much admiration, although no envy! Without doubt Brian Newham and his team deserve the highest praise for their incredible effort in…

Following today’s announcement, Ice Team Leader Brian Newham talks to camera about what was ultimately his decision to put a halt to the first ever attempt to cross the Antarctic in winter. The video includes footage of the Cat D6Ns getting into tricky situations on the ice, as well as providing an idea of the science work that is being carried out by the team and will remain an extremely…

To all of our supporters, The first ever attempt to cross Antarctica in winter, dubbed “The Coldest Journey”, has covered over 300 kilometers and climbed from sea level to almost 3,000 meters up to the polar plateau, since the five man team set out on 21st March this year.  This is the furthest distance and longest period that any expedition has travelled in the polar winter months.  Using…

“Ice making its way into the caravan. -50C and blowing more than 50 knots will do that.” – as tweeted by Ian Prickett this evening on his personal Twitter feed. As if the guys didn’t have enough things to worry about right now! They will get it sorted out soon enough, but ice on the INSIDE of your bedroom in one of the harshest places on Earth? Not nice. Keep strong Team, we’re right behind you.

Having consolidated a position on safe ground away from the crevasses, the Ice Team are taking stock of their situation. It is clear from their recent reconnaissance work that the terrain to the south is a complex and uncharted mass of crevasses which are hard to detect in the darkness, covered, as they are, by snow bridges.  Painstaking efforts have been made with the ground penetrating…

Video update by Richmond Dykes, featuring a rare appearance by Mary Mouse. Filming by Ian Prickett.

“Another 50ml of blood sucked out in the name of Science! Lets hope they go to Mars for all this!” – as posted on Ian Prickett’s twitter feed…

Here’s a pic of the new camp taken at twilight by Brian Newham. To avoid any confusion, the Ice Team are getting about two to three hours of twilight a day, and the rest of the time it is dark. This period is diminishing every day, and if they were further south there would be full darkness around the clock by now. Today the mechanics have been making the most of gentle winds to carry out…