General Interest
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’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 [...]
Antarctica is the highest, driest and most remote of all continents yet we know remarkably little about its weather and how it fits into the global picture. A new research project aims to change that...
There is excitement in the air at ALE as we gear up for the new season, especially because of our logistic role in one of the top Antarctic science projects this year. Searching for Life in Antarctica’s Subglacial Lakes This season, after years of planning and logistic preparations, a team of British scientists and engineers [...]
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 [...]
“Antarctica is big. Really big. You just won’t believe how vastly, hugely, mind bogglingly big it is.” * And knowing exactly where you are is important for explorers and expeditions. So what do they rely on? Well, maps, of course but because Antarctica is so huge, very little of it has been mapped. Existing Topographic Maps Whole [...]
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 [...]
ALE has been nominated for the prestigious new EWM Excellence in Remote Medicine Award for our quality logistical and expedition support in Antarctica. Nominees for the award include the most inspiring personalities and companies associated with the Remote Medicine industry and we are honored to be included. The award will be presented on April 17, 2012 [...]
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 [...]