General Interest
Union Glacier hosts a melting pot of adventurers, explorers and scientists each season. We are excited to welcome research teams investigating a broad range of topics during the 2014-15 season. Learn more about the projects and fieldwork they'll be doing on the ice.
One of Chile's top female mountaineers, Pachi has been guiding for over 15 years and the 2014-15 Antarctic season will be her 7th with ALE. Learn more about this accomplished mountaineer and her Antarctic experiences.
We've reached the half-way point in the climbing season on Mount Vinson and it's hard to believe the third group of guests are already on the mountain! We caught up with ALE Guide, David Hamilton, for a glimpse into the days ahead and what this group of climbers will experience on Vinson.
The Honourable Alexandra Shackleton, granddaughter of Sir Ernest Shackleton, flew to the interior of the Antarctic continent for the first time with ALE on December 13, 2014.
Seven unique expeditions are en route to the South Pole this Antarctic season. We'll be following their journeys and look forward to hosting all of them at Union Glacier upon completion of their ultimate goals.
ALE Travel Safety Manager, Seth Timpano, attended a week-long Bootcamp in July 2014. But instead of marching drills and push-ups, this Bootcamp focused on satellite imagery in the Polar Regions. We asked Seth about the course and how it could apply to his work in Antarctica.
Deciding what equipment to bring on an Antarctic expedition is no easy task. ALE's Expedition Manager, Steve Jones, provides some expert advice for teams heading onto the ice.
The word ‘Antarctica’ usually brings to mind images of extreme cold and snowstorms, but the single greatest hazard at any Antarctic station is fire. Antarctic holds roughly 70% of the earth’s fresh water, but that ‘water’ is locked away in vast ice sheets that cover the continent. Combine this lack of readily available water, with [...]
Accurate information on the location and status of people and resources under our care is key to ALE’s safety management process. ALE’s safety management process includes: Routine communications Emergency communications Capability for two-way voice communications between base and all sites 24 hours a day Back-up or reserve systems A pre-determined Emergency Response Plan ALE maintains [...]
The first Automatic Weather Station (AWS) images of the season are in! Upgrades and new weather stations in 2014 will provide flight crews with more and better weather information.