(EMAILWIRE.COM, December 02, 2011 ) ANTARCTICA – On December 14, a temporary village will spring up at the Earth’s South Pole. Populated by about 300 dignitaries, scientists, and adventurers, this community will come together to close out the first century of South Pole history.
The group will celebrate the expedition of Norwegian Roald Amundsen, whose party became the first to reach the pole 100 years ago. A British expedition, led by Robert Scott, reached the pole a month later but perished on their return.
Polar Explores en route
Among those celebrating the anniversary of these expeditions will will be two teams led by American guide service Polar Explorers. The approaches taken by these teams will differ wildly, but both will use modern techniques and technologies to make sure each member reaches the pole and returns safely home fingers, toes, and all. Those teams will bring Polar ExplorerÂ’s total for the year to four.
The group scheduled to arrive for the Dec. 14 celebrations will experience luxuries the continentÂ’s original explorers could only have dreamed of. Ten members of that team will be dropped off from an airplane 20 kilometers north of the pole. From there, they will ski two days to the celebrations. Another six team members will fly the entire trip to the pole.
A second team of six is already on the ice. Made up of adventurers and guides from the UK, U.S., and Sweden, this team set out earlier this month for a 1,130 km trek to the pole from Hercules Inlet. Thanks to modern navigation and communication technology, the group wonÂ’t be in danger of getting lost or isolated, but that doesnÂ’t mean the trip will be easy.
“The will be facing tremendously cold temperatures,” said Polar Explorers spokeswoman Annie Aggens. High winds, temperatures well below freezing, and the thin austral air tax Antarctic travelers’ bodies, while the continent’s vast alien landscape takes a toll on their minds.
“It can literally feel like it’s consuming you,” Aggens said. “Many times all you can see is snow and ice. It’s like you’ve been dropped in a bucket of white paint.”
This team hopes to reach the pole in January, near the time ScottÂ’s doomed expedition reached in 100 years ago. Unlike ScottÂ’s, this party will be able to board a plane at the pole for a safe flight home. Their entire journey can be tracked online.
About Polar Explorers
Polar Explorers has provided guided South Pole adventures since 2002, and has guided clients to the North Pole on ski, dogsled, and plane since 1993. A Polar Explorers expedition was the only team present at the 100-year anniversary of the first North Pole expedition in 2009.
In that time, they have become a favorite among travelers hoping to cross reaching the worldÂ’s poles off their bucket lists. The company leads clients to the poles on extended ski expeditions as well full-service North and South Pole flights. In all cases, they have maintained an impeccable safety record. Even in the remote and unpredictable polar regions, none of the companyÂ’s clients has ever suffered a serious injury, including frostbite.
PRESS CONTACT
Matt Minich
Office: 970.568.7423
Matt@adventuremedianews.com
