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On the road in Antarcticacbi:///cms/253329
Snow, glaciers, icebergs and an incredibly vast horizon - for more than two weeks, these views will accompany the participants of the Antarctic expedition. The international team will board the vessel "Sea Spirit" in Ushuaia and then head south. cbi:///cms/253330
The expedition takes place during the Austral summer - i.e. when it is winter in the northern hemisphere. At that time, the days in Antarctica feature up to 24 hours of daylight. From late February until early April, temperatures on the Antarctic Peninsula are usually only slightly below 0° centigrade. In the coastal region, temperatures range between -5° and +5° centigrade. cbi:///cms/253331
A careful preparation is mandatory for each member of the expedition. The obligatory gear for Antarctica mainly includes warm, quickly drying, light-weight clothes that can be worn in several superposed layers when it is cold: starting from thermal underwear to fleece shirts and woollen sweaters through to waterproof jackets and hiking boots. As the sunshine in Antarctica is very intensive, in addition also a high-protection sun screen (factor 50 or higher) and sunglasses are a must. cbi:///cms/253332
Days 1 to 3: Ushuaia cbi:///cms/253334
27 February 2012 cbi:///cms/253335
The Inspire Antarctic Expedition 2012 starts in Ushuaia, Argentina. This city on the Beagle Channel located in the southernmost point of Tierra del Fuego is a frequently used starting point for Antarctic expeditions and a stopover for many cruise ships. The city has some 80,000 inhabitants. cbi:///cms/253336
28 February 2012 cbi:///cms/253337
On the day after their arrival in Ushuaia the participants have the opportunity to get to know each other better. The leader of the expedition, Robert Swan, will in addition familiarise the group with the team instructions. cbi:///cms/253338
29 February 2012 cbi:///cms/253340
A first fitness check is on the agenda. The participants will climb the Martial Glacier located close to Ushuaia. Already on this tour, qualities such as team work and strong leadership are required: to make it to the top the groups have to collaborate closely. Back in the hotel, the participants will discuss their experiences in a group. cbi:///cms/253341
Day 4: Departure to Antarctica cbi:///cms/253342
1 March 2012 cbi:///cms/253343
In the late afternoon the participants will board the “Sea Spirit”. The roughly 90 meter long and 15 meter wide vessel has five decks and can take up to 100 passengers. Crew members familiarise the participants of the expedition with the safety regulations on board. cbi:///cms/253344
Days 5 to 6: Drake Passagecbi:///cms/253345
2 to 3 March 2012 cbi:///cms/253347
The "Sea Spirit" leaves the Beagle Channel and crosses the legendary Drake Passage. This straight between Cape Horn and the northern tip of the Antarctic Peninsula connects the Atlantic Ocean with the Pacific Ocean. During the crossing, the participants of the expedition will receive useful information about the flora and fauna, geology, history and geography of the Antarctic Peninsula – and start discussing about how to protect Antarctica. cbi:///cms/253348
Days 7 to 12: The Antarctic Peninsulacbi:///cms/253349
4 to 9 March 2012 cbi:///cms/253351
The team leaders will now plan the further course of the expedition from one day to the next depending on the ice and weather conditions. In the calmer waters of the Antarctic Peninsula the group will have the opportunity to organise various shore excursions with a robust Zodiac. cbi:///cms/253352
Possible destinations: cbi:///cms/253354
Cuverville Island is a rocky, uninhabited island lying in the Errera Channel off the Antarctic Peninsula. It was discovered in the framework of a Belgian expedition in the late 19th century. In the austral summer, the island is home to a large rookery of penguins. cbi:///cms/253356
Neko Harbour is situated on the Antarctic Peninsula on Graham Land. It was named for the Norwegian whaling boat "Neko", which operated in the area between 1911 and 1924. The lookout point Neko Harbour offers an impressive view of the breath-taking Antarctic landscape. cbi:///cms/253357
The Lemaire Channel is a roughly six kilometre long channel between the Antarctic Peninsula and Booth Island. The narrowest point of the channel is around 720 meters wide. It is flanked by roughly 1.000 meter high mountains on both sides. cbi:///cms/253358
Camping in the Antarcticcbi:///cms/253360
It may sound like survival training, but it can be one of the most beautiful experiences in Antarctica: the participants of the expedition can accompany Robert Swan and his team on a tour with an overnight stay on the Antarctic ice. cbi:///cms/253361
Day 13: King George Islandcbi:///cms/253363
10 March 2012 cbi:///cms/253365
With an area of around 1,150 square kilometres, King George Island is the largest island in the archipelago of the South Shetland Islands in Antarctica. It is situated around 120 kilometres off the coast of Antarctica and was discovered in 1819 during a British expedition. In the southwest of the island there are various research stations, including one from Brazil, one from Argentina, one from Russia and one from Poland. This is where the organisation 2041 set up its "E-Base", the first education station in Antarctica built from sustainable materials and operated with renewable energy. cbi:///cms/253366
Days 14 to 15: On seacbi:///cms/253367
10 to 11 March 2012 cbi:///cms/253369
These are the last days of the expedition. The "Sea Spirit" navigates through the Drake Passage and heads back to Ushuaia. cbi:///cms/253370
Day 16: Ushuaiacbi:///cms/253372
12 March 2012 cbi:///cms/253373
Back in Ushuaia. The participants of the expedition will disembark in the early morning and head for the airport together with the team leaders. The Inspire Antarctic Expedition 2012 has come to an end. cbi:///cms/253374
additional Informations
Trailer of the expedition Antarctica cbr:///cms/239436/239461/239473/239533/255241/255216
additional Informations
