ALE has been named as the primary logistics provider for a major scientific undertaking in West Antarctica. The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office recently published a Draft Comprehensive Environmental Evaluation of the proposed exploration of Subglacial Lake Ellsworth. This project has two main aims: to determine the presence of life in an Antarctic subglacial lake; and [...]
It’s been 100 years since Roald Amundsen and Robert Falcon Scott raced to the South Pole. 2011-12 marks the 100 year anniversary of Roald Amundsen and Robert Falcon Scott’s arrival at the South Pole. Their heroic exploits captured the imagination of a generation and opened up the interior of Antarctica to the world. Don’t miss [...]
Scientists from the Centro de Estudios Cientificos, of Valdivia Chile, continued glacier flow rate and bedrock studies in the Ellsworth Mountains, using ground penetrating radar. During their 2010 fieldwork they extended our knowledge of sub-glacial lakes near Lake Ellsworth. We were pleased to once again host a team from the National Science Foundation’s POLENET project. The [...]
2010 topped the list of ‘Firsts’, even for ALE. Our first big news was the move from our long-time base at Patriot Hills to start the season at a new location on Union Glacier. The new camp setting is spectacular and our new, specially adapted passenger vans have opened up possibilities for scenic tours and [...]
Norwegian Christian Eide set a new solo unsupported, speed record from Hercules Inlet to the South Pole. Eide arrived at the Pole on 13 January, 2011. He averaged more than 29 miles per day to reach the South Pole in 24 days, 1 hour, 13 minutes. All we can say is “Wow!” Eide beat the [...]
Roald Amundsen left his mark on the Heroic Era as one of the most successful polar explorers ever born. He led the 1910–12 Antarctic expedition which was the first to reach the South Pole, on 14 December 1911. He was the first to traverse the Northwest Passage (1903–06) in the Arctic and he is recognized [...]
Liv Arnesen (1953 – ) Liv Ragnheim Arnesen is a Norwegian educator, adventurer, guide, and motivational speaker. In 1994, she made international headlines becoming the first woman in the world to ski solo and unsupported to the South Pole – a 50-day expedition of 745 miles (1,200 km). Along with Ann Bancroft, she also holds [...]
Col. Jatinder Kumar (JK) Bajaj, a mechanical engineer and seasoned mountaineer, was the first Indian (and the first Asian) to reach the South Pole. In 1988-89, as part of an eleven member international team, Col Bajaj skied 750 miles (1200 km) over 50 days across an uncharted Antarctic route; and on 17 January 1989, hoisted [...]
Ann Bancroft is an American educator, explorer, environmentalist and leader, who is dedicated to inspiring women and girls to unleash the power of their dreams. She was the first woman to ski to both the North and South Pole and, along with Liv Arnesen, the first women to ski and sail across Antarctica’s landmass. Ann [...]
Fabian von Bellingshausen was a Russian naval officer who led the Russian naval expedition 1819-1921, in search of Terra Australis. His ship was the first to cross the Antarctic circle since Captain Cook in 1773; he circumnavigated Antarctica; and was the first person to sight the Antarctic continent. His orders were to explore as far [...]