Indonesian Digital News Archive

The story of Ernest Shackleton's Endurance expedition is one of the most legendary tales of survival in the history of mankind. When his ship became stuck in Antarctic pack-ice, and was eventually crushed and sank, Shackleton and his crew were forced to survive out on the ice for months on end. The crew endure difficult weather conditions, supply shortages and daring open water crossings in a desperate attempt to stay alive. Eventually, Shackleton himself led a small team in search of help to South Georgia Island, where he and his men used their remaining strength to cross the island on foot, a feat that wouldn't be matched again for another 40 years. All told, the Shackleton and his men managed to survive for more than 16 months before being rescued, and it was testament to their leader that not a single member of the crew lost their life.

Shackleton's expedition began in 1914, so in the coming months you can expect numerous celebrations of the 100th anniversary of the launch of the expedition, which had originally intended to cross the length of Antarctica, via the South Pole, for the first time. There will no doubt be a number of centenary expeditions to celebrate the occasion. Most of those expeditions won't be open to you and I, but one travel company is offering a unique opportunity for adventurous folks looking to follow in Shackleton's footsteps – provided they have plenty of spare cash.

Intrepid Travel's Shackleton Epic is a 56-day journey that traces the same route as the legendary British explorer. It gets underway on January 3rd, 2013 when the TS Pelican sets sail from Punta Arenas, Chile. The ship will explore the Southern Ocean, visiting such places as Deception Island, King George Island, Elephant Island and of course, South Georgia, before eventually finishing in Rio de Janeiro in late February. Along the way, the crew, led by British/Australian explorer Tim Jarvis, will recreate Shackleton's 800-mile open water crossing between Elephant Island and South Georgia aboard a replica boat no less. Upon their completion of that undertaking, there will also be an opportunity to cross the island on foot, just as Shackleton had.



While this itinerary is being offered by one of the best adventure travel companies in the world, this is far from a typical trip. This will be a long and demanding journey that will test those who embark on it. But it is also the chance to trace the path of one of the greatest explorers of the 20th century and catch a glimpse of how difficult Shackleton's adventure must have been.

There are just ten berths available aboard the Pelican and they don't come cheap. If you're interested in joining the crew, the price is $30,000 with reservations being taken now. You can find out more specific information about the expedition, the ship you'd be sailing on, and leader Tim Jarvis by clicking here.

Now if only I could come up with the $30k to join this excursion.

Late last year and into the early days of 2012, we followed along and cheered the efforts of a pair of young Australian adventurers named James Castrission and Justin Jones, or more affectionally Cas and Jonesy. The two men were attempting something that had never been done before, a there-and-back again expedition to the South Pole that started and ended at Hercules Inlet. Their journey would take nearly three months to complete, covering 2275 km (1413 miles) of frozen landscapes in the process. Along the way they endured frostbite, high winds, and temperatures in excess of -40ºC/F.

While they were on their expedition, Cas and Jonesy issued regular dispatches from the Antarctic that helped to keep us informed of their progress and struggles. Those dispatches gave us a glimpse of what it was like to spend 89 days out on the ice but they couldn't paint a complete picture of the experience. But now we can get the whole story of their of their adventure in the form of a new book entitled Extreme South that was written by Cas himself.

Cas and Jonesy were no strangers to adventure prior to their Antarctic expedition. The duo has spent 62 days in a kayak of sorts crossing the Tasman Sea between Australia and New Zealand. That was feat unto itself and for most people it would be enough adventure for a lifetime. But not long after completing that epic journey, the boys found themselves craving another one. A bigger and even more challenging one.

They knew right away it would be Antarctica and they knew that they wanted to do something different than simply skiing to the South Pole. The idea to make it a round trip came quickly but the details of the plan took some time. They also had a lot of preparation to do, including getting into physical condition for the hardships they'd face and learning to ski. Yep, that's right, the two would-be Antarctic explorers had never skied prior to the start of their training.



The first part of the book, entitled "The Early Days," focuses heavily on their panning, preparation and training. Of course they faced a few obstacles to overcome along the way, but before they knew it, Cas and Jonesy were leaving Australia and were on their way to Punta Arenas, Chile – the jumping off point for the Antarctic. While there they would meet Norwegian skier Aleksander Gamme, a solo explorer who had the idea to attempt the exact same journey as the Aussies. Gamme had plenty of experience in cold climates and his heritage made him a natural skier. A friendly rivalry ensued between the three men, but at that time they could have no idea that their paths would cross again before the end.

The second, larger part of the book is called "Crossing the Ice" and it truly gets down to the nitty gritty of the expedition. It is, quite literally, a day-by-day account of what it was like to ski from Hercules Inlet to the Pole and back again. The daily entries give great insights into how demanding, both physically and mentally, an expedition such as this one can be.

The endless snow and ice, along with the unrelenting cold temperatures and wind, can truly take a toll on even the strongest person. This is particularly true when when exposed to them for weeks and months on end. In reading the account of their journey it was interesting to hear how physically demanding the days were early on but in the end it was the mental challenges that became more difficult to over come. And while the men traveled together they were also very much alone at times. Add to it nagging pain and injuries, lack of sleep and a never ending hunger and you begin to understand why so few people are able to actually complete a journey such as this one.

On December 30, 2011, Cas and Jonesy reached the South Pole. It was an immense achievement and it made them feel like all of their struggles and difficulties were all worth it. But they were also behind schedule and the plan wasn't just to go to the Pole but also back to the start again. Something that had never been accomplished before. Their joy at reaching 90ºS was short lived however, as they knew that they had a long way to go before they were done. Worse yet, time was starting to run short and if they were going to return to Hercules Inlet, they would have to redouble their efforts. But the wind was at their back, the sun in their face and they were literally heading downhill at last.

The final section of the book deals with that long slog back to the start. A harrowing journey that took every last ounce of strength to complete and made all the more difficult because they were rushing to catch the last plane off the ice. We always knew that this was no easy ski in the park, but the book underscores that point in spades.

It may be a cliche by Extreme South is the very definition of a page turner. It's fast and easy to read and it always leaves you wanting more. This is a book that you don't read, you devour. Usually in large chunks and I found myself staying well up past my bedtime just wanting to "read one more day."

I highly recommend this book not just to those who followed Cas and Jonesy on their Antarctic adventure but to anyone planning an expedition of their own, whether thats to the South Pole or elsewhere. There are some excellent nuggets of information that can help in the planning, but more importantly there is a lot to be learned about being mentally tough in the face of overwhelming challenges.

I received a copy of the book directly from Cas himself, and for that I am eternally grateful. Amazon sells a Kindle version for just $17 which is a steal for a modern adventure story such as this one. I enjoyed ever moment of Extreme South and I think you will too.

One question for Cas however. When did you find time to write this? The book was done and published before you had completely thawed out or put back on all the weight. Well done mate!

Following yesterday's announcement that Sir Ranulph Fiennes would be attempting an Antarctic journey to the South Pole in the dead of winter, the BBC today asks what other adventures remain undone? The article laments the fact that satellite imaging and communications technology have taken some of the mystery out of exploration and that in the 21st century most of the remote places of our planet have been visited. Still, they do manage to come up with a list of adventures that have yet to be accomplished.

Some of the suggestions include a climb up Gangkhar Puensum in Bhutan. That 7570 meter (24,835 ft) peak holds the distinction of being the tallest unclimbed mountain in the world. The problem is, climbing ins forbidden on that mountain as the people of Bhutan see it as sacred. The BBC does suggest looking for unclimbed peaks in western China and Tibet however, where plenty of first ascents can still be made. They also note that K2, Makalu and Kangchenjunga have never been skied, although I'd say climbing K2 in winter should sit high on the list of big adventures yet to be done.

The BBC suggests that no one has gone to the North Pole in the dead of winter, but to that I'd say they are wrong. Back in 2006, Mike Horn and Borge Ousland made that journey on foot and without support. It is my belief (as well as that of some polar explorers that I've spoken to) that a trek to the North Pole will become increasingly rare in the years ahead as climate changes makes that journey a more difficult proposition.

According to the article, there are a number of "firsts" that can still be accomplished for the adventurous swimmer. For example, no one has completed a swim across the Pacific, although Ben Lecomte is planning on giving it a try. They also list the Straits of Hormuz, Gulf of Aqaba and Le Perouse Strait as all looking for their first swim as well. Perhaps the ocean depths are the next big area for exploration, as much of those areas have yet to be mapped. That requires a great deal of preparation, technology and planning and is not unlike traveling into space.

I thought this was an interesting article although I am of the mind that there are still plenty of adventurous things to do out int his wide world that we live on. The problem is, there is a perception amongst many that unless you're taking on the tallest or largest target, it really isn't that impressive. With that I definitely disagree. Besides, adventure is a very personal thing and it means something different to all of us. Finding our own adventures are what really matters.

British explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes, who has made a career of trekking in the cold areas of our planet, is preparing for what could be his most challenging expedition to date. According to the BBC, 68-year old Fiennes is planning to travel to the South Pole on skis in the dead of winter, something that has never been accomplished before.

The expedition will begin on March 21st of next year, the exact start of winter in the southern hemisphere. Sir Ran and his six-person team will then embark on a 3200km (2000 mile) journey that will begin and end on the Ross Ice Shelf with the South Pole serving as the turn-around point. Along the way they expect to face temperatures in the neighborhood of -90ºC/-130ºF as they climb 3000 meters (9842 ft) up to the polar plateau.

As usual, Fiennes and his teammates will be on skis, dragging sleds loaded with gear and equipment with them as they go. But because of the extreme nature of this journey, they'll also be joined by two bulldozers dragging "industrial" sleds behind them that will contain all of their extra supplies and fuel. This will enable the expedition to be self-sufficient on their way to the Pole and not require supply drops, although it is certainly an unconventional approach. Then again, traveling to the South Pole in the dead of winter isn't exactly conventional no matter how you look at it.

Fiennes and his team have already started testing gear for the expedition and are working out the logistics of the route. The equipment they'll be using has to be the best ever created, because not much can withstand the brutally cold temperatures of the Antarctic winter. The lead skiers will also be dragging ground penetrating sonar with them which will alert the vehicles behind them to any hidden crevasses in the snow and ice. The vehicles, while necessary, bring other complications as well, such as how to keep the engines from freezing up when they aren't moving.

Obviously this will be a big expedition that we'll be following once it gets underway next year. It is expected to take about six months to complete the journey, which will be a challenging one to say the least.

Later this year the producers of the amazing (yet haunting!) The Cove, will release a new film that takes a hard look at climate change and the way our planet is being undeniably altered. Those changes are evident most specifically in the polar ice caps and glaciers of the planet, which are vanishing at an alarming rate. The new film is entitled Chasing Ice and tells the story of National Geographic photographer James Balog, a climate change skeptic who went on assignment to the Arctic in 2005 and  returned with a completely different view. Since then, Balog has made it his mission to chronicle the vanishing ice on our planet and spread the word to others.

The trailer for the new film can be found below and it looks like it is going to be a real eye opener for those who are still on the fence as to whether or not climate change exists and what effect it is having on our world. There are some incredibly powerful images in the trailer itself and I'm looking forward to seeing the full film down the line.

The CheapTents Blog continues their string of great adventure interviews today, this time turning their sights on polar explorer and photographer Phil Wickens. This past January, Wickens led a team of climbers and skiers to Antarctica where they took on 13 peaks along the peninsula, claiming first ascents on eight of them. Phil also documented much of the expedition through his fantastic photography as well.

In the interview, Wickens talks about his early inspirations for adventure (he was a Cub Scout!) that led him to becoming a mountaineer and polar guide. He also discusses his work with the British Antarctic Survey and goes into some detail on the Antarctic expedition, touching on his favorite moments as well as some of the dangers the team faced. Phil even shares some thoughts on shooting photography in the polar regions of our planet.

As for his favorite pieces of gear? Phil says his skies and ice axes are amongst his favorites, because without them he wouldn't be able to play as hard as he does. Seems like a good reason to love any piece of gear to me!

Check out some of the action from the Antarctic expedition below, then head over to CheapTents and read the entire interview.


The Ascent and Descent of Mt Banck from Phil Wickens on Vimeo.

The SS Terra Nova holds a hallowed place in the history of exploration. The ship was used by Robert Falcon Scott on his ill fated mission to Antarctica that lasted from 1910-1912 and ended with his death on the return trip from the South Pole. After that the vessel was bought and commissioned for other types of service which eventually led to it running supplies to Greenland during World War II. In 1943 it hit thick ice and took damage to her hull, causing the ship to sink in the icy waters of the North Atlantic, never to be seen again. That is until now.

A research vessel for the Schmidt Ocean Institute was recently testing new equipment off the coast of Greenland when they came across the wreckage. Unsure of what they had found, the team took the opportunity to explore their discovery further by sending a submersible camera down to examine the ship more closely. The camera took images of the Terra Nova which were then compared to historical photos which confirmed the identity of the vessel.

Built in 1884, the Terra Nova was first used as a whaling and sealing vessel. In 1903 she was put to work as an expedition vessel under Scott, who sailed the ship into the Antarctic where her reinforced hull was perfectly suited for duty. Scott would take her back to the Antarctic seven years later when he made his bid for the South Pole. While Scott and his men were making their way to 90ºS, the Terra Nova and her crew were conducting scientific research off the coast of the frozen continent and making supply runs back to New Zealand.

Following Scott's death, the ship was sold to new owners who put her back to work at a seal fishery in Newfoundland. By 1942 the vessel had been pressed into service as a supply ship to Greenland and a year later it was sunk off the south-western tip of that country. She still sits there today, although the discovery of the ship will certainly be of interest to history buff and fans of explorers like Scott.

It would be amazing if the ship could be recovered and possibly added to a museum somewhere. But it seems that the Terra Nova incurred quite a bit of damage when she went down and now rests 1000 feet beneath the surface. It would be very expensive to try to recover the vessel, which could potentially fall apart if moved. So, she'll probably stay in her current location forever, a sunken monument to history long past.

I can't help but think that it is quite serendipitous that the Terra Nova was discovered exactly 100 years after the Scott expedition.

As with all their films, PowderWhore Productions' upcoming movie Choose Your Adventure will feature some of the top skiers and snowboarders in the world doing their thing on remote mountains across the planet. The official trailer for the film isn't due out for another couple of weeks, but the team decided to have a little fun and produced the video below as a result. It is a parody of the popular Saturday Night Live video "I'm On A Boat" that uses footage from the Antarctic portion of the film. Funny stuff, although not necessarily entirely work safe.

I've mentioned the Arctic Row team on a couple of occasions in the past as the four man crew planned and prepared for their attempt to row across the Arctic Ocean. It seems their big day is finally here however and as I write this the boys are preparing to start their adventure.

For those who haven't been keeping up on this expedition it is an attempt by a Paul Ridley, Collin West, Neal Mueller and Scott Mortensen to row from Inuvik, Canada to Provideniya, Russia in approximately 30 days. During that time, the crew will be rowing non-stop, 24 hours per day, in two-hour, two-man shifts. They'll cover approximately 2100km (1300 miles) through the ice waters of the Arctic along the way.

You'll be able to follow the team's progress on their blog, Facebook page and Twitter feeds. At the moment there isn't a lot of activity on either of those sites, but that should change once they get underway. The announcement of their departure should come at any time.

I know that there has been some debate in certain circles about whether or not this is a true "ocean crossing" since the Arctic Row crew isn't exactly going directly through the heart of the ocean but are instead skirting about the edge. But put those strict definitions aside for a moment and you realize that this is a truly challenging undertaking. It should be interesting to see how they fare out on the open water, where they'll also be conducting research on the health of the Arctic Ocean's ecosystem.

Check out the great coverage the expedition received from Al Jazeera a few days back in the video below.

Good luck guys!

The Google World Wonders website is a fun one for explorers and travelers everywhere. The project uses Google's 360 degree panoramic camera technology to capture both the interiors and exteriors of a number of fantastic locations around the planet and then put it online for all of us to enjoy. The results are Google Street View for some iconic destinations, not to mention a gigantic distraction from our daily lives.

Some of the more interesting locations available include Stonehenge, Versailles, the Swiss Alps and both Yellowstone and Yosemite National Parks. They also have the interior of Robert Falcon Scott's Antarctic hut, which should prove of interest to many readers, as it still contains gear and other artifacts from the British explorers visits to the frozen continent.

If you're looking for the opportunity to travel the world today without ever leaving home, then you'll truly enjoy what Google has put together here. Be warned however, after you've finished strolling along the Banks of the Seine in Paris, you may wonder where your day went.

Australian adventurer Tim Jarvis has announced a major expedition that will follow in the footsteps of one of the greatest polar explorers in history – Ernest Shackleton. In January of next year, Jarvis will depart for the Antarctic where he will attempt to recreate what is considered by many to be the greatest survival story of all time. The journey will be a challenging, demanding one that hasn't been successfully replicated in nearly 100 years.

For those unaware of Shackleton's story, while he was exploring the Antarctic in January of 1915 his ship, the Endurance, became trapped in the pack ice. He and his crew used it as their shelter and store house for months as they waited for weather conditions to improve enough to free it from the ice, but before that could happen the ship's hull was breached and it began to take on water. In October, Shackleton and his men abandoned the Endurance for good, electing to build camps on the ice floes. They hoped that they ice would drift towards one of the nearby islands, allowing them to reach land and access supply caches, but after another five months they were no closer to dry ground and the ice floes started to break up. In a desperate move, the crew took to three life boats and headed for open water and after five days out on the freezing Southern Ocean that reached the desolate and remote Elephant Island. It was the first time they were on land in nearly 500 days.

Elephant Island was hardly a permanent refuge however and Shackleton knew he had to go for help. On April 24, 1916, he and a small group of men set out across treacherous waters for South Georgia Island, some 800 miles away. They went in a small boat dubbed the James Caird after one of the more generous sponsors of the expedition and all onboard knew that this was a one way trip. But somehow they managed to cross those 800 miles and land on South Georgia, although they were still miles from rescue. Shackleton and two of his men then crossed the island, covering 32 miles in 36 hours, along an unknown route, to reach a whaling station where they found help at last. A ship was eventually dispatched to retrieve the men still stranded on Elephant Island, which took some time due the ice, but they were all rescued and in the end, not a single life was lost, which makes the story all the more amazing.

The next successful crossing of South Georgia by foot wouldn't come until 1955, which gives you an idea of how challenging this undertaking was, and no one has ever managed to complete both the boat journey and the crossing. Next year, Tim Jarvis will attempt to do just that.

In preparation for the expedition Jarvis has had a replica of the James Caird built and he and his crew will use vintage 1916 gear along the way. They will attempt to first complete the 800 mile crossing from Elephant Island to South Georgia by sea and then traverse the island along the same route that Shackleton did. It will be a tremendous undertaking and the entire journey will be filmed for an upcoming documentary to celebrate the 100 anniversary of Shackleton's adventure.

You can read more about what promises to be an amazing expedition on the official website.

Shackleton's story has always been a fascinating one. He and his men suffered for months in some of the harshest conditions on the planet. But they managed to survive. Every one of them. It was a bold and hardy group to say the least, and none more so than their leader. Jarvis' expedition has a lot to live up to and it will be fascinating to see how he and his team fare.

Thanks to Lisa for sharing this inspiring story. Can't wait to see how it all plays out.