Shackleton Crossing 
Ski and Sail Expedition

A yacht-supported ski touring expedition in association with Pelagic Expeditions

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This expedition is designed for experienced ski tourers who want to spend extended time travelling in South Georgia’s mountains while operating from an expedition yacht used as a mobile basecamp. The focus of this expedition is on ski touring and mountain travel from a series of anchorages, including recreating the historic route Shackleton and his crew took across the island. This allows access to a wide range of terrain and the flexibility to adapt plans to weather, snow conditions, and the group.

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EXPEDITION STYLE
● Expedition yacht used as a mobile basecamp
● Ski touring and mountain travel from coastal anchorages
● Early austral spring timing
● Objectives selected day-by-day based on conditions
● Small group

Travel will involve sailing between operating areas, landing when conditions allow, and skiing into surrounding terrain. Some days will involve long ski tours; others may be spent waiting for weather or repositioning the vessel. The emphasis is on flexibility and sound decision-making rather than fixed itineraries.

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SKIING AND MOUNTAIN TRAVEL

South Georgia’s mountains rise directly from the sea, creating terrain that is both unique and committing. Typical ski days may include skinning from near sea level into alpine terrain, ski descents on coastal peaks and glacier-fed valleys, and short summit attempts when conditions allow. Occasional roped travel on glaciers may be required.

Vertical relief can be significant, but this is not necessarily a technical ski-mountaineering expedition. All travel takes place in remote terrain with no external rescue support. Participants must be prepared to operate as part of a self-reliant team.

The expedition is planned with the intention of completing the full Shackleton crossing, following the historic route across South Georgia. As with all objectives on this expedition, the crossing will be undertaken when conditions allow and integrated into the overall plan for the journey.

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THE VESSEL

Operations for this expedition will be based aboard Amundsen, a 77-foot expedition yacht designed and built specifically for high-latitude sailing and extended operations in remote regions. Amundsen is part of the Pelagic expedition fleet and shares her design with Vinson of Antarctica, drawing on decades of experience operating in the Southern Ocean.

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The vessel is exceptionally well suited to long expeditions. Heated cabins with individual bunks, generous communal spaces, an enclosed pilot house, and reliable freshwater production provide a warm, dry, and functional living environment throughout the voyage. Layout and systems are designed to support extended time at sea and frequent shore operations while maintaining a high standard of comfort and safety.

Amundsen’s shallow draft allows access to anchorages that are often inaccessible to larger vessels, expanding the range of terrain we can reach. Her robust construction, powerful engines, and experienced crew make her a dependable platform for operating in South Georgia’s demanding conditions. Throughout the expedition, the vessel serves as a secure, flexible base from which to conduct our ski touring objectives, and a safe place to wait for weather when required.

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LIFE ON BOARD

Participants are actively involved in the operation of the vessel. Under the direction of the skipper and crew, all participants will stand watches, assist with sailing and deck tasks, and contribute to daily routines on board. No prior sailing experience is required. A willingness to participate, adapt to conditions, and function as part of a small team is essential. Time aboard Time aboard the vessel is an integral part of the expedition, not simply transit between objectives.

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WILDLIFE AND ENVIRONMENT

South Georgia supports one of the most extraordinary concentrations of wildlife anywhere on the planet. During the early austral spring, the island’s coastlines and valleys are alive with elephant seals, fur seals, penguins, and vast numbers of seabirds returning for the breeding season.

Travel in South Georgia takes place in close proximity to wildlife. Shore landings are often shared with seals and penguin colonies, and ski routes frequently pass through terrain shaped as much by animals as by ice and weather. Time ashore naturally includes moments spent observing the scale and intensity of life on the island — from the sound of seabird colonies overhead to the presence of large marine mammals hauled out along the beaches.

For many participants, this constant exposure to wildlife is one of the defining aspects of the expedition. The combination of skiing, sailing, and operating in such a densely inhabited sub-Antarctic environment makes South Georgia unlike anywhere else in the polar regions.

All travel is conducted in accordance with South Georgia’s environmental regulations, with care taken to minimise disturbance and move responsibly through shared terrain.​

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COST AND APPLICATION

This is an application-only expedition, which can be shared upon request. Pricing reflects vessel charter, expedition leadership, food and onboard logistics, permits, operational costs, and the small group size. Exact pricing and payment schedule will be provided to suitable applicants.

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WHO THIS EXPEDITION IS FOR

This expedition is suited to experienced skiers who value time and flexibility over fixed objectives, are comfortable with uncertainty and changing plans, and want a deeper experience of South Georgia. If you are interested in this expedition, contact PolarExplorers to discuss suitability.