New Route via Reedy Glacier to South Pole

nov 30

#1:
Test blog

Publicado a las 19:34
Despacho creado desde web
Hi everyone

Welcome to the inaugural South Pole via Reedy Glacier blog. This is a test blog to check that everything is working OK - image uploads, social media connection, map tracking, subscriber notifications etc.

In a few days Rob Smith, Keith Tuffley and I will be flying from Punta Arenas, Chile to Union Glacier Camp in Antarctica and onward to our start point at the base of the untravelled Reedy Glacier. With the Ross Ice Shelf to the north and the Transantarctic Mountains to the south the views will be spectacular, and unique. Only a handful of scientists and pilots have seen the Reedy Glacier, a good reason in itself to take this route.

But Reedy is also a logical choice. It is one of many large glaciers draining the polar plateau through the Transantarctic Mountains, falling steadily over its 200km length (around one third of the entire route) from an altitude of 2200m at its head to 600m at the foot of the range. We begin lower still at the grounding zone of the Ross Ice Shelf, Antarctica’s contiguous coastline. Reedy's gentle gradient is responsible for an unusually crevasse-free surface, in the lower sections at least, and is almost snow free. The climate is so cold that there are extensive ablation (melting) areas which are permanently snow-free. This exposed ice should make for fast travel until we reach the polar plateau above. Then it’s a grind across the frozen windswept high plains to the pole.

This will be the second Transantarctic glacier that I will have the privilege of traversing for the first time. In 1998, together with Jon Muir and Peter Hillary, I made the first traverse of the Shackleton Glacier to the pole, which lies to the west of the Reedy. The classic routes of the Beardmore and Axel Heiberg glaciers also drain through these mountains. This is an area of Antarctica both rich in history and brimming with discovery.

Eric
  • Nombre: Punta Arenas
  • Elevación: 65 m
  • Latitud: 53° 937Sur
  • Longitud: 70° 5438Oeste

Comentarios


  • Denunciar como ofensivo...
    2016-12-13 22:34:39 Rob and Barney Swan dijo: Go BOYS we are back in Punta . all well so impressed with your milage R and B
  • Denunciar como ofensivo...
    2016-12-05 05:20:50 Willylipsschipper@gmail.com dijo: Hi Eric & Co, bloc is working! Have a great trip. We will be following with great interest. Stay safe. Dad &
  • Denunciar como ofensivo...
    2016-12-02 01:03:02 Lyndy and Heinz dijo: Another great adventure for you! We will watch your blog.Best wishes to the three of you
  • Denunciar como ofensivo...
    2016-12-01 20:20:59 Rob Easther dijo: Go well Eric and team, thanks for this blog to share your adventure. Best wishes, Rob
  • Denunciar como ofensivo...
    2016-12-01 06:23:12 Warren - Mount Nelson dijo: Wishing you and team a safe trip!
  • Denunciar como ofensivo...
    2016-12-01 06:15:27 Julie & Dixie dijo: Good luck, have fun, stay safe & all that jazz, Eric!
  • Denunciar como ofensivo...
    2016-12-01 04:38:07 Tuesday dijo: I'm following you and Friend Rob with great interest. Good luck !
  • Denunciar como ofensivo...
    2016-12-01 01:08:42 Laurie Jacob dijo: Have a great trip Eric. We will be following with great interest.
  • Denunciar como ofensivo...
    2016-12-01 00:44:00 jumping jojo dijo: you sure know how to put the add in venture!!! once again i get to enjoy following your journey.. stay safe,warm and stick to that straight line.. XXX
  • Denunciar como ofensivo...
    2016-12-01 00:16:30 Tim Medhurst dijo: Very jealous! Have a wonderful trip :)
  • Denunciar como ofensivo...
    2016-11-30 21:49:09 Karen dijo: blog is working! Happy last days in Punta and bonne chance! sounds absolutely amazing...


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