Antarctica, South pole 2011-2012

Dmitry Ermakov sent a message and photos already from Punta Arenas. He and his groupe came back from Antarctica. Dragan Jovovich from Serbia, the Russians Dmitry Kuznetsov and Vladimir Pankratenko with Dmitry successfully completed the Last Degree program. Before that, Dmitry Ermakov went up on Mount Vinson with a large group of 7 Summits Club. Total for season 7 Summits Club had two groups on the Vinson and two in the Last Degree.

7 Summits, hello! Dmitry Ermakov, from Antarctica, from the South Pole. Today we successfully reached the South Pole. And today, we visited the Amundsen-Scott Polar station. All team members are satisfied and happy. Tomorrow we will stay for the 100th anniversary of the conquest of the Pole by Robert Scott. The day after tomorrow we fly to the Union Glacier and on .... All is well, the mood is perfect...

7 Summits, hello! This is Dmitry Ermakov from Antarctica. Today is the first day of our journey on the program Last Degree. After three days of waiting, the plane took us to the 89 degrees mark. Today we went about four kilometers. Now we are eating, getting ready for bed. Everything is okay, all right. Members feel good. In general, everything goes according to the plan. By !

12/29/2011 Lyudmila Korobeshko, George Kuzmin and Alexander Viktorov from 7 Summits Club expedition reached the South Pole. The last two days have been quite heavy and intense. Alexander Viktorov was patient with his foot, and then George suddenly fall ill. All plans have been violated. It is especially valuable that the group was able to reach the Pole without help of plane...

Lyudmila Korobeshko from 7 Summits Club expedition to the South Pole on skis ... So today, December 19, our small group, it's Sasha Viktorov, George Kuzmin and Lyudmila Korobeshko, are still located on Union Glacier. Yesterday we said goodbye to our group, which flew up the base camp of Mount Vinson. We are waiting for our flight to the "Last degree" and made an outing to the glacier. We did a test for skis and sleds. We are even a little pleased that lingers in the Union Glacier camp, because we are wellfed. All feel great. We look forward to tomorrow's departure. Bye everyone!

Bobok, right from the center of Antarctica. Today, December 14, Igor and I, together, two years later, and after 100 years since the first man reached the South Pole, we arrived at it. We are just happy with what is happening ! Ahead is a rich cultural program, meeting with Prime Minister of Norway, the whole ceremony of the meeting. We are all very well, all is well. Life has gone right! All ardent greetings! Byu!

 Here Bobok Victor from Antarctica. All is excellent for us! We are in ten kilometers from the South Pole. Now we lie in tent and we will be waiting for the ceremony "the Entry on the Pole", on 14th of December. That is all – we have crossed our 250 kilometers. And now a day of rest that we deserve.  We brush up, clean up. And as I have already told, we wait for an input ceremony. Everything is OK. We made it ! The last 10 kilometers we get in any case, any weather. But - on December, 14th.

All ardent greetings!

Victor Bobok and Igor Grishkov

Victor Bobok and Igor Grishkov continue their journey to the South Pole. They go independently, separately from the Norwegian expedition. «For today we have passed 24 km, it remains for three days. If to look on a map, consider on a straight line, it remains 55 km form 250 km on start. In a reality it will be 60 - 65 kilometers with all detours and obstacles.

We go in accuracy along Amundsen's camps. We read his diaries, we are verifying. The weather as it isn't strange, is the same as hundred years ago. Sometimes the horizon merges with the earth and the sky, then it is visible nothing. Temperatures - approximately from -20 to, one time -50 The most difficult was in the beginning of our way, due the absence of acclimatization at height and heavy sledge!

An altitude of a point of disembarkation was 3150 m., and the Pole, approximately 3800 m.

Every day we worked from 5-30 a.m. till 10 p.m.. The wind somehow blew, 12-19 meters per second, a real storm. So we have managed in this wind to remove our tent, to pass 8,5 km and to put it again! In the beginning we carried sledge on 50 kg everyone. But the sledges become now easier, we eat, we burn fuel down.

We hope to reach the Pole on December, 14th under the Russian flag with shouts «Forward!». Exactly 100 years after Amundsen.

Now we observe a bad weather, as in Amundsen's diaries.

All greetings!

Victor Bobok and Igor Grishkov

Yesterday Alexander Abramov and Dmitry Ermakov have taken off for the South America for preparation of the main part of the Antarctic season. The large quantity of luggage has demanded big efforts to push in the plane. The season program will be strained, and in Antarctica there is no place to buy there. So work, nerves, time – all should be spent, including in advance. Lyudmila Korobeshko will take off for Chile on Monday. So for time, this South American country becomes the main site of our Club.

During change in Madrid the friendly meeting with the Spanish climbers has occurred

The schedule of groups for the Antarctic summer

I Last Degree (16-29 Dec). The South Pole. Last degree.

1 Viktorov Alexander

2 Kuzmin George

The guide - Korobeshko Lyudmila

I Vinson (16-29 Dec). Mount Vinson. The tallest of Antarctica.

1 Beirit Konstantin

2 Kostrikin Pavel

3 Lukjanov Yury - Kazakhstan

4 Lukjanova Nadezhda - Kazakhstan

5 Rudenko Ivan

The guide 1 - Bobok Victor

The guide 2 - Ermakov Dmitry

III Vinson (29 Dec-12 JAN).

1 Ko Kan Fai - Hong Kong

2 Liu Wai Ming Haston - Hong Kong

3 Viktorov Alexander

4 Demjanenko Igor

5 Dudko Sergey

6 Krasnov Dmitry

7 Murtazina Dzhamilja

8 Tcherkashin Igor

The guide 1 - Bobok Victor

The guide 2 - Tsang Chi Sing John - Hong Kong

IV Last Degree (05-19 JAN) the South Pole. Last degree

1 Jovovic Dragan - Serbia

2 Kuznetsov Dmitry

3 Pankratenko Vladimir

The guide - Ermakov Dmitry

Victor Bobok from Antractica. For 8 days we have passed more than 100 kilometers. And it remains about 140 km to the Pole. In this time, all was occurred that Antarctica can give. From a full calm and good weather: a minus thirty one, without wind, the sun … To a storm with parameters of 13-19 meters per second. And in this weather we have managed to remove our tent, to cross about 8, 5 kilometers. And we could put this tent. So all is good, greetings from Antarctica! By ! So long!

According blogs of our Norwegian colleagues and Victor's short message, the group left on a route. More than week they have spent on the basis of Union Glacier. And before the delay for a week was in in Punta Arenas. At first, the weather was bad, then malfunction of the plane, then – emergency flight to Vinson. Backlog from the schedule makes almost half-month. The commands which have left on a route earlier, is successful moving on Amundsen and Scott ways. Our expedition only begins the program. Within two days the group has been transfered from the Union Gleacier on the glacier of Axel Hejberg, to the foot of Peak of Nansen, the ascension on which is a part of the obligatory program of the Norwegian anniversary. Our well trained group started quickly forward, covering up to 25 km a day. High tempo for heavy loaded people.

Some pictures from Union Glacier >>>>>>>

On Thursday, representatives of ALE warned that we should be ready by 6 a.m. Friday. In fact, the departure from Punta Arenas took place around 3 p.m. local time. The adventures began. Our IL-76 and the flight to Antarctica, for beginners, this is a real adventure. Landing, as always, was not soft.

Alas, the first news from the owners, was not good. Axel Heiberg Glacier area, where the group must deliver the following by a smaller plane, is closed by clouds. Again, wait! Now, on the base of Union Glacier. All members are eager to do something, go on skis, walking through the neighborhood. Conditions are excellent, the temperature is about minus ten, around us - magnificent mountains, good snow. And on Sunday evening, representatives of ALE promised flight on Monday.

Before the beginning of the expedition, Victor Bobok gave an interview to the company BASK, which equipment has proved itself very well in our Antarctic expeditions.

As it often happens, the schedule of departures to Antarctica isn't maintained. A departure of expedition SYDPOLEN AMUNDSEN-JUBILEUM 2011 have postponed and it is clear that for a long time. Cargo flight will be the first by turns. It delivers to the Union Glacier a heavy bulldozer for runway alignment. Members of expedition, including Victor Bobok and Igor Grishkov have gone for some days to national park Paine, to feet of fantastic towers of Torres, to glaciers running directly in the sea. The delay will take into question possibility of achievement of a pole in a holiday on December, 14th. The group has spent one night in a mountain hut and next day was already in Punta Arenas (on the average 5 hours' journey).

The season of 2011-2012 marks the centenary of Amundsen's and Scott's expeditions to the South Pole. Many expeditions have already started and many arrive to Punta Arenas and waiting for next flight to Antarctica. Almost all of them devote their travel to Amundsen's or Scott's Centenary celebrations, paying homage to the courage and determination of these great men and their colleagues. Among them two our travelers Victor Bobok and Igor Grishkov who take part in the South Pole Jubilee Expedition 1911-2011.

List of expeditions

 http://www.antarctic-logistics.com/news.html

South Pole Jubilee Expedition 1911-2011

Norwegian polar explorers Christian Eide and Borge Ousland have organized a South Pole Jubilee Expedition. The Jubilee teams will follow Amundsen's 700 km route up the Axel Heiberg Glacier, arriving at the South Pole by December 14. Along the way they plan to climb Mt Nansen, which has only had one previous ascent. In 2010 Christian Eide set the World record for fastest solo unsupported ski to the South Pole in 2011, while Borge Ousland completed the first solo Antarctic crossing in 1996 and was the first person to ski solo, with no re-supply to the North Pole.

Sørpolen 1911-2011

Sørpolen 1911-2011 will follow Amundsen's route from the Bay of Whales to the South Pole, covering the distance in the same number of days as the famous explorer. Led by Jan-Gunnar Winther, head of the Norsk Polarinstitutt, this expedition will showcase Norwegian polar history and spotlight current climatic and environmental challenges. The Expedition is part of the Nansen-Amundsen Year that honors both Amundsen's South Pole conquest and 150 years since the birth of Arctic explorer Fridtjof Nansen.

http://sorpolen2011.npolar.no/en/ (English)

The South Pole - 100 Years After

Asle Johansen crossed Greenland in 1988, one hundred years after Nansen, using period clothing and equipment. Now Johansen will celebrate the Amundsen Centenary in a similar fashion, with teammates Agnar Berg and Gaute Grindhaug. The three Norwegians will follow Amundsen's Axel Heiberg route from the Ross Ice Shelf to the South Pole using replica clothing and equipment to better understand Amundsen's journey. Johansen, a physician and researcher specializing in the body's response to extreme physical and mental stress, emphasizes that this is not just a replica expedition, but a scientific journey.

http://www.nansenamundsen.no/no/events/okt/asle-t-johansen-sorpolekspedisjon.html (Norwegian)

South Pole 1911-2011

Albert Bosch and Carles Gel from Spain will ski unsupported from Hercules Inlet to the South Pole. They plan to arrive by December 14 and thus commemorate Roald Amundsen's historic feat.

http://www.albertbosch.info/en/minisite/29/

Hvitserk Ski South Pole

Norwegian Outfitter Hvitserk will lead an Anniversary South Pole Expedition. The team will follow the 'Messner Route' and ski unsupported to the South Pole, arriving by December 14 to join the Amundsen Centenary celebrations.

Steffen Dahl

Norwegian Steffen Dahl is skiing to both North and South Poles in 2011 to honor the achievements of Fridtjof Nansen and Roald Amundsen. Dahl reached the North Pole on April 11 and will ski alone and unsupported from Hercules Inlet to the South Pole.

http://polfarer.no/ (Norwegian)

Scott-Amundsen Centenary Race 2011-12

Two teams. Two routes. Skiing unsupported to the South Pole. Six members of the British Army will re-trace Amundsen's and Scott's routes to the South Pole, in a tribute to the courage, determination and pioneering spirit of these great explorers. The Amundsen team, led by Henry Worsley (Shackleton Centenary Expedition 2008) will depart from the Bay of Whales, cross the Ross Ice Shelf and ascend the Axel Heiberg Glacier. Mark Langridge (solo to the Pole 2008) will lead the Scott team from Cape Evans, across the ice shelf and up the Beardmore Glacier. Both teams expect to cover their distance in about 70 days, arriving at the South Pole in early January.

http://scottamundsenrace.org/

One Call Wintercamp

Nine Norwegian skiers will ski and kite-ski from 88° 30'S to the South Pole. The expedition celebrates Roald Amundsen's dream to achieve something many believed was unattainable.

http://www.onecall.no/wintercamp2011/ (Norwegian)

Ski Last Degree Expeditions

A number of Antarctic enthusiasts, including the Norwegian Prime Minister, will ski shorter distances to the South Pole in celebration of the Amundsen and Scott Centenaries. Many of the groups will ani ski last degree, the last 60 nautical miles, taking from 7 to 10 days to complete their journey.

Other Antarctic Crossing and Ski South Pole-Return Expeditions

Kaspersky ONE Transantarctic Expedition

Felicity Aston (2009 Kaspersky Lab Commonwealth Expedition Leader) is heading back to Antarctica - this time solo. Felicity will make a 1700km, 65-day journey, becoming the first woman in the world to cross Antarctica alone. The documentary film about Felicity's 2009 expedition will be screened at the Banff Mountain and Dijon Adventure Film Festivals this November. But don't expect to see Felicity there!

http://www.kasperskyonetransantarcticexpedition.com/

Aleksander Gamme

Aleksander Gamme will ski solo from Hercules Inlet to the South Pole, then turn around and ski solo back to the edge of the Antarctic continent. Inspired by Amundsen. Gamme admits to feeling "humble" when he thinks about the physical and mental challenges of being alone in the icy wilderness for so long.

Mark George

Explorer and motivational speaker Mark George plans to ski solo and unsupported from Hercules Inlet to the South Pole, then return by kite-ski to the coast, for a total of 2,300 kms.

http://www.searchingforsanta.com.au/

Crossing the Ice

Two Australians Justin Jones and James Castrission will trek from the edge of Antarctica to the South Pole and back, without assistance of any kind. Their expedition will raise funds for You Can, a fundraising campaign to build specialized youth cancer centres across Australia.

http://casandjonesy.com.au/expeditions/crossing-the-ice/

South Pole and Back - Ski and Kite

Polar explorer and speed-record holder Richard Weber will lead a 35 day, unsupported trek from the "Messner Start" on the Filchner Ice Shelf to the South Pole. From the South Pole the team will kite-ski back to Hercules Inlet at the edge of the continent.

http://www.weberarctic.com/

Ski South Pole - Messner Start and Hercules Inlet

ANI Ski South Pole Messner

ANI guide Hannah McKeand holds the record for most ski expeditions from the Antarctic coast to the South Pole - and this year she will again cross the icy continent. McKeand and fellow ANI guide Charlie Patton will lead two ANI Ski South Pole - Messner teams to the South Pole.

Pole to Pole Run

When endurance runner Pat Farmer starts his Antarctic expedition, he will already have run two marathons every day, no days off, for almost a year and clocked nearly 13,000 miles through 14 countries. This is the last leg on an incredible trek from the North Pole to the South Pole to raise $100 million for the International Red Cross.

http://www.poletopolerun.com/

Mark Wood

"The North South Solo expedition has been classed as the toughest expedition on the planet." But this is exactly what polar explorer Mark Wood plans to undertake. He will ski from Hercules Inlet to the South Pole. Then next spring, head to the Canadian Arctic to ski solo to the North Pole.

PolarExplorers Ski South Pole - Hercules

This guided expedition will traverse from Hercules Inlet at the edge of the Antarctic continent, to the South Pole.

Thompson Reuters Eikon South Pole Expedition

It's about challenge and proving greener technologies for Polar exploration, says their website. This expedition will attempt to beat the overland record to the Pole in a specially-built, efficient, bio-fuelled vehicle. They will use solar panels to further reduce their carbon footprint and real-time GPS Satellite communications and tracking.

http://thomsonreuterseikon.com/south-pole-expedition/