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A unique opportunity to ski the last 20-25 kilometers to the South Pole, camping en route. You'll arrive and stand at the very bottom of the world during the 100-year anniversary season of when the South Pole was first discovered. This expedition will be challenging and exhilarating even for the most intrepid travelers... more... |
| 2011 / 2012 Expedition Dates |
SOLD OUT! December 9-16, 2011 Amundsen Centennial
20k Ski Expedition via Punta Arenas, Chile (Plan to
arrive in Punta Arenas no later than noon on December 7, 2011) SOLD OUT!
January 12-19, 2012 Scott Centennial
20k Ski Expedition (Plan to arrive in Punta Arenas no
later than noon on January 10, 2012)
December 6-16, 2011 Amundsen Centennial 20k Ski Expedition via Cape Town, South Africa
Contact us for information about our Vinson Massif add-on!
| 2011 / 2012 Expedition Pricing |
2011 Price: Please contact us for pricing Download
Application
Daily Tentative Itinerary
| Pre-trip: | Arrive in Punta Arenas two days before scheduled departure. Meet mid morning day before departure for reception and pre-flight information session. Afternoon will be spend reviewing equipment and expedition proceedures, etc. |
| Day 1: | Weather permitting we'll fly to Antarctica. |
| Day 2: | Spend the day at Union Glacier basecamp training for ski expedition - OR - depart directly for the vicinity of the South Pole. |
| Day 3-5: | Depart for vicinity of South Pole. Ski to the South Pole! |
| Day 6: | Arrive at the South Pole on Amundsen or Scott Anniversary! |
| Day 7: | Return to the Union Glacier basecamp. |
| Day 8: | Weather permitting we'll depart for the return flight to Punta Arenas. The following morning head out to explore this beautiful region, or head to the airport for your flight home. |
This itinerary is highly dependent on a number of factors and is subject to change. Contact us for a more detailed itinerary!
Qualifications
This expedition is for people who are in good shape, and who are eager
to push themselves physically and mentally. Though the skiing is quite
demanding, it does not require significant skill (it is very much like
walking with skis on).You will need to have very good cardiovascular endurance
and the ability to pull a light sled (between 5-15 kilos) for several
hours at a time, with only short pauses, for 2-3 days. Most importantly
you need to be able to regulate your body temperature so that you do not
get too cold, or too hot while you are on the move. This expedition will
encounter extremely cold conditions, and living in such cold conditions
24 hours a day can be very challenging. This expedition demands that you
stay well-fed and hydrated. You need to be proactive about keeping yourself
healthy and free of injury. An evacuation from this expedition is very
costly and logistically difficult. You do not have to be a world class
athlete to participate in and enjoy this expedition, but every ounce of
training and preparation will help to make the expedition more enjoyable
and safer. Please contact us with further questions!
Equipment
Upon registration, you will receive a comprehensive gear guide including
an instructional DVD that explains the importance of each item as
well as gear recommendations from our past participants.
- 1 pair skis and ski poles (supplied by PolarExplorers)
- 1 pair skins covering the full length of your skis (supplied by PolarExplorers)
- 1 pair snow pack ski boots
- Sleeping bag rated to at least -35° Celsius
- Bivy sack
- 2 sleeping pads
- 1 wind anorak with hood (fur ruff recommended)
- 1 wind pants
- 1 insulated parka with hood
- 1 warm fleece jacket and pants
- 2 sets wool or synthetic underwear, medium weight top and bottom- 2nd set optional
- 1 overmitt system
- 2 pair synthetic or wool working gloves
- 2 hats: 1 lightweight balaclava, 1 ski type
- 2 neck gaiters
- 3 pair socks and sock liners
- 1 face mask
- Sun glasses and/ or mountain ski glasses
- 2 pr. anti-fog goggles
- 1 sturdy small backpack with waist belt and sternum strap
- 2 Thermos bottles or insulated water bottles
- 1 set eating utensils with bowl
- Pocket knife / multi-tool
- Personal toiletries
- 1 pee bottle (small plastic bottle)
- Face cream, lip protection
- 4 carabiners
What's Included:
- PolarExplorers expertise in planning and preparation (call us anytime!)
- PolarExplorers guides (world-class polar guides having guided a combined 40+ polar expeditions & adventures)
- PE's popular "South Pole Slideshow" (a ready-to-go PowerPoint presentation about the South Pole, expedition travel, and the polar environment.) We've prepared this for you to use as a stand-alone presentation or to edit/ incorporate into your own presentation about your expedition. Share the South Pole with your friends, family & community
- PolarExplorer's "GEAR GUIDE" DVD covering personal clothing & equipment.
- Daily online expedition blogs for friends and family back home
- Welcome reception on first night of expedition
- All charter air transportation from Punta Arenas and return
- Skis, poles, sleds (quality gear that's tried and true in the polar environment)
- Tents & all group camping gear
- Expedition patch
- Accommodations and meals in Antarctica for duration of itinerary
- South Pole celebration
- Official South Pole certificate
- Satellite phone call from South Pole
- Communication and safety gear
- Baggage allowance up to 50lbs (22.5 kg)
What's Not Included:
- Round-trip transportation to Punta Arenas, Chile
- Meals and accommodations in Punta Arenas
- Personal clothing and accessories
- Trip cancellation and baggage insurance (mandatory)
- Medical/evacuation insurance (mandatory)
- Excess baggage costs
- Additional phone calls from Antarctica
- Extended stay fees associated with weather delays.
A unique opportunity to ski the last 20-25 kilometers to the South Pole, camping en route. You'll arrive and stand at the very bottom of the world during the 100-year anniversary season of when the South Pole was first discovered. This expedition will be challenging and exhilarating even for the most intrepid travelers.
The South Polar region offers the serious adventurer an incomparable experience. Unlike skiing the pack ice that surrounds the North Pole, your journey to the South Pole is on firm ground so-to-speak (it's actually 2 mile thick ice), with no pressure ridges or open water leads to block your path. Yet Antarctica has challenges of her own, namely relentless prevailing winds that tend to blow against you as you ski towards the South Pole. Still, this journey across the Polar plateau is worth every drop of sweat. Our journey begins in Punta Arenas, Chile where we'll meet and board a series of charter flights that take us to the vicinity of 89°45'degrees south. From here we'll strap on our skis and sleds and make our way south to the Geographic South Pole.
For the next 20 kilometers you'll ski approximately 6 hours a day over the smooth ice of the polar plateau. If you've already traveled to the North Pole, you'll notice an incredible difference. For those who are on their inaugural Polar expedition, prepare to get hooked! Like all PolarExplorers' expeditions, you'll be involved in almost every aspect of your expedition, from setting up camp, to practicing your hand at polar navigation (if you choose). Sleds will be relatively light (around 5-15 kilo). Upon reaching the South Pole we'll have a grand celebration complete with champagne, a photo session to document your accomplishment, and the long-awaited call home. Weather permitting, our arrival will coincide with the 100 year anniversary of Amundsen's discovery of the South Pole or Scott's arrival at the South Pole just over a month later. At the end of the journey we'll be shuttled back to Union Glacier basecamp where we'll await our return flight to Punta Arenas and points north. To ensure that you have the best possible experience, we'll help you with all aspects of your pre-expedition preparations, from choosing the right clothing to learning how to pack your sled. Give us a call and let us tell you more about what skills you should have prior to the expedition, and what skills we will be teaching you prior to our departure. Our shakedown trip is an ideal way to learn all the skills that are necessary for an expedition of this magnitude!
