ALE is excited to announce that the iconic ‘Marathon Flame’ has arrived in Antarctica for the 8th Antarctic Ice Marathon on 21 November 2012 at Union Glacier. Greek-Cypriot marathon runner and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, Mr Nasos Ktorides, carried the Flame on its first visit to Antarctica. Richard Donovan, organizer of the Antarctic Ice Marathon, says [...]
In 1987, Adventure Network International (ANI) made history by landing a privately operated wheeled aircraft in Antarctica. On November 22, 1987, Captain Jim Smith landed a Douglas DC-4 on a blue-ice airfield at Patriot Hills in the Ellsworth Mountains. This ground-breaking achievement changed the face of aviation in Antarctica, and paved the way for direct flights [...]
ALE Ski South Pole Guide Hannah McKeand offers some final tips to get you organized as you get ready to head to the ice.
ALE’s First Flight of the Season ALE’s first Ilyushin flight of the 2012 season landed safely at Union Glacier on Oct 30. Weather conditions were ideal for the landing and the Ilyushin crew reported that the runway was in excellent condition. The flight carried core ALE staff and one expedition, Aaron Lindsau. Lindsau hopes to [...]
ALE’s advance team have arrived at Union Glacier, Antarctica. The ski aircraft arrived safely last night with our team on board, after a two-stage flight from Punta Arenas. They report that the camp caches have over-wintered well and look in good shape. The blue-ice runway has little snow coverage and the snow surface around camp [...]
Pulling together the details for a Ski South Pole expedition can be a challenge. How do you stay on track with all there is to do? ALE’s Hannah McKeand gives some advice on equipment selection, your training regime and tracking down funding. Hannah is an avid explorer and experienced polar guide. She has skied to [...]
All eyes are on London 2012 as the Olympic Games close and the Paralympic Games begin. But those in the know are preparing for an unrelated and lesser known, but no less exciting competition – The Union Glacier International Sports Extravaganza. International Competitors and Unconventional Events The competition takes place in the austral summer, deep [...]
Skiing to the South Pole is an incredible, life changing experience. But how to get started? And what’s involved? We asked ALE’s Hannah McKeand to give us some tips. Hannah is an avid explorer and experienced polar guide. She has skied to the South Pole more times than anyone else; has guided several expeditions to the [...]
Congratulations to Chris Jacobs, our Field Facilities Manager, who has been honored twice this year in the United Kingdom. He was awarded the MBE and Polar Medal for outstanding achievement and service in the field of polar research! Chris attended an investiture at Windsor Castle on March 2, 2012 where he was the only person [...]
Our 2011-12 season expeditions faced brutally cold early season temperatures and tough sledging conditions on historic and new routes to the South Pole. Expedition blogs described the ever-changing balance between the highlights and harsh realities of Antarctica, while cold and repetitive strain injuries; altitude and fitness concerns; and equipment problems took their toll on several [...]