Ten years ago, in 2003, after six days of random and hard sailing out to sea, feared by mariners, suddenly the fog lifted and we could see some mountains that seemed to emerge from the ocean bottom. It was my first encounter with South Georgia, a show almost unreal that accompanied us until we docked in the bay of Grytviken. In our huge mountains rise around hugging and protecting the bay and a small cemetery; we are in South Atlantic, a step of Antarctica.
Few places on Earth have felt so much emotion as in this, to be in front of the tomb of Ernest Shackleton, one of the greatest explorers of all time polar. While following the exploits of Amundsen ambition is perceived, dyes sometimes not very clean, and the pride of the victor, and the epic Scott there is a mixture of stubbornness and the honor of the Royal Navy outdated, Shackleton the only perceived humanity and tenacity in equal. That was his greatness. So your example is what has endured.
Few places on Earth have felt so much emotion as in this, to stand before the grave of Shackleton
The journey that Shackleton had to make, Crean and Worsley on South Georgia Island, as they went for help to the factory whaling Stromnes– has all the ingredients of a great adventure. This march, that develops on glaciers, ice arenas, hills and bays populated by elephant seals and penguins, deserves to be among the world's finest cruises: by wild desolate atmosphere that permeates this island in the middle of the South Atlantic; by the commitment required to engage in it, since the minimum contingency dramatic overtones can purchase here-, by experience in marches on glaciers and precise navigation, and that, ultimately, in a few places like this you are transported to the center of one of the most heroic and exemplary adventure that has developed in the polar regions.
The sense of isolation and grandeur that feels while traversing South Georgia and forth, absolute. While other parts of the world, most, in the last fifty years have become more accessible, and some, as the base camp Everest, and some more than Himalayas, even been crowded, in Georgia has been the opposite. In those days that Shackleton and his two companions rushed, existed on the island five whaling, lived and worked hundreds of workers, today there are more than ghost towns, and nitrates, rust and neglect are the only company. Today a single handful of people in Grytviken is the only human settlement around South Georgia.
This place deserves to be among the world's finest cruises
At the factory arrived Stromnes 20 May 1916 Shackleton and his two companions, Worsley y Crean, continues running after 36 hours. It was the penultimate feat led by "the boss", in order to safely rescue all his companions. Today, with good weather, can be done in three days' march. The rude workers who worked in the Norwegian whaling station were the first to hear from the men who had lost one and a half and it looked like ghosts. The Endurance, Shackleton's ship, Georgia had landed precisely eighteen months before. They had begun one of the most prodigious survival odysseys of all time.
In August 1914, Shackleton, it aboard ship Endurance, had started one of the grandest adventures polar. His goal was to "make the last great overland crossing" left to do on Earth: Antarctic traverse from end to end through the South Pole. I could not imagine is that not reach even to set foot on the frozen continent and, within months, its sole purpose would be to try to return alive to Europe. Two years later, in 1916, Shackleton and five companions arrived in a small boat to the island of San Pedro, the largest in the archipelago of Georgia, for help and rescue the crew of the Endurance, (chips had been done by the pressure of the ice in the mar the Weddell) I was trapped and the edge of survival in the Elephant Island.
Our expedition will attempt to repeat this incredible adventure almost a hundred years later
To ask for help in the whaling, Shackleton and two companions, Worsley y Crean, should traverse an unknown island, from end to end, penetrating into huge glacial valleys, climbing escarpments, crossing hills and bays, in one of the toughest in living memory modern adventures. Since then Shackleton is a reference both in the world of adventurers as in business; an example of leadership in extreme conditions.
Our expedition-sponsored by Halconviajes.com and Salomba Ventures– try to repeat this incredible adventure, almost one hundred years later, sailing on a yacht from the Falkland Islands to the King Haakon Bay, the same place where Shackleton and his men arrived, and then cross the island exactly the same route as the British up to Stromness, where plants were whaling that would help Shackleton to rescue all his men alive after 18 long months of loneliness and cold. Then explore the inland mountainous area to try to climb some of these great mountains opening new routes. It will be our special tribute to the British explorer.
The members of the expedition
Sebastián Álvaro. Creator of The Edge. More 200 expeditions and 300 documentaries, journalist, lecturer ...
Juanjo San Sebastián. Member of The Edge since its inception. K2 Summit and several ochomiles more, writer .....
Ramon Portilla. Member of Al Filo. The first Spanish to conquer the 7 summits. 7 Ochomiles and over 100 expeditions
José Manuel Fernández. Mountaineer generation, top invernal Laila, just returned from a solo attempt Trango Tower ...
David Pérez. Member of The Edge. Diver, multiple shipments of mountains and underwater ....
Luis Heras. 3 Dakares, Transoriental, motorcycle expeditions in five continents ...
Moran Remedies. Mountaineer, biker, physio, navigator, Health responsible for issuing ...
Mariano Left. House of Al Filo great trips and expeditions, mountaineer and diver ...
Hugo Delignières. The Smile of Capitán, expert navigator navigation Antarctic seas with numerous expeditions to his credit. It was the first solo sailor to overwinter in Antarctica.
Marie Paul Guillaumot. Navigator and crewman Sourire, more than 20 years of experience in voyages south seas.
