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Expedition
leader: Pat Falvey
Antarctica
Antarctica is one of the most beautiful, yet lethal arenas
on the face of the planet. It is a violent environment,
where you can expect to encounter winds up to 200 mph
and temperatures as low as minus 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
The Antarctic Continent, which covers an area of 14 million
square kilometers - is 98% composed of a thick continental
ice sheet and is 2% barren rock. It has average elevations
of between 2,000 and 4,000 meters and mountain ranges
of up to nearly 5,000 meters. Floating ice shelves constitute
11% of the area of the continent. It has absolutely no
arable land and no permanent crops. Katabatic (gravity-driven)
winds blow coastward from the high interior while cyclonic
storms form over the ocean and move clockwise along the
coast. It has no indigenous inhabitants - seasonally
staffed research stations are the only evidence
of
human life in Antarctica.
A dedicated team required
In such extreme conditions differences of nationality
fade in to insignificance as man's fragility and vulnerability
are fully exposed. In such circumstances man is simply
man and individuals must work together if they are
to stand any chance of surviving- let alone succeeding
in
their objectives. Differences in politics, religion
or ethnicity have no place and no practical application
when each individual's survival depends upon the effectiveness
of teamwork. To paraphrase Shackleton you 'reach the
naked soul of man'.
Irish Polar contribution
The magnificent history of Irish Polar Exploration
tells a story of ordinary people who set out to achieve
extraordinary
things. Meet our heroes.
These individuals succeeded in putting Ireland firmly
on the map
of the Golden age of Exploration. As we walk in the
footsteps of giants
we will open a new chapter in the era of Irish Polar
Exploration. By
attempting to reach the South Pole - in honour of the
Irish Polar explorers
who have gone before us - we will fulfil Shackleton's
dream of standing
at a point where so few are privileged enough to ever
set foot. By
crossing South Georgia's treacherous interior we salute
those brave Irish
men and their international counterparts who carried
out the 'Great
Antarctic Rescue'.
As we journey to the ends of the earth we will push
our reserves of
endurance, strength and resolve to their very limits.
By so doing I am
confident that each team member will return home with
renewed
perspective's on life - on the beauty of the world
around them, and on
themselves - namely their ability to succeed as part
of a team in the most trying of the earth's natural
environments.
The support team
Visiting Antarctica is also a very spiritual experience.
It has a deeply emotional effect on those who have
been fortunate enough to set foot on this most sacred
of places.
The harshness of the elements combined with the magnificence
of an untouched landscape brings visitors to Antarctica
into direct contact with natural beauty in its rawest
form. It tends to have a profound affect on the lives
of it's visitors, myself included, who dream of someday
returning to the ends of the earth. It is for this
reason that 54 places
are available for those who
wish to join
the boat journey as a support team. As the team of
12 set out to traverse South Georgia the support
team will
have the opportunity to make a number of spectacular
landings and really soak up the majesty of the natural
world. A continuous lecture series will be run throughout
the trip and members of the support team will have
a wide variety of activities to choose from.
  
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