Climate

Severe low temperatures vary with latitude, elevation and distance from the ocean. The coldest temperature in the world was recorded at -89.2^oC at the Vostok Research Station in the South Pole, on July 21, 1983.

While the winter season sees only night, the summer season (from November to January) experience 24 hours of daylight.

Terrain

The Antarctica is covered by 98 percent of thick continental ice sheet and the other 2 percent of its terrain is barren rock. Elevation vary between 2,000 and 4,000 meters while its mountain ranges up to 4,897 meters high.

 

Environment

Current issues

In October 1991, it was reported that the ozone shield, which protects the Earth’s surface from harmful ultraviolet radiation, had dwindled to the lowest level recorded over Antarctica since 1975 when measurements were first taken.

Natural hazards

Katabatic or gravity-driven winds blow coastward from the high interior, at wind-speeds of up to 300km per hour.

 

History

The Antarctic was first sighted by a Russian navy captain in 1820. A year later, two British seal hunters landed on the continent.

But the Pole was not reached until ninety years later on 4 December 1911 by a 5-men Norwegian team led by Roald Amundsen in a bid to win the ‘Golden Race’. His rival, British Robert Scott arrived 33 days later on 17 January 1912, to find Amundsen’s tent. A disappointed Scott and his four companions embarked on their return journey but died in blizzards and the extreme cold - the first recorded deaths on Antarctica

 

The Challenge

Each South Pole team member will pull a sledge weighing, approximately 90 kg, across 1100 km to the South Pole. The trek will take about 65 days.

Each sledge contains food, fuel, tent, navigation equipment, communication equipment, clothing and medical kit. The team members will train towards self-sufficiency. A contingency plan is in place for a drop of supplies mid-point of the journey.

Because the team is embarking on this expedition in the summer season, they will face predominantly sunny, windless days (-10^oC to -20^oC). However, the unpredictable Antarctic whether can marshal storms that can drop temperatures to as low as -50^oC with winds blowing at up to 300km/hr.

In addition, the team will have to deal with sheer isolation and monotony for the length of the trek.

 

 

VINSON MASSIF FACT SHEET

Vinson Massif, the highest peak in Antarctica, is one of the coveted 7-Summits: the highest peak of each of the seven continents. Up to today, Mt. Vinson has seen less than 400 people standing atop its peak.

 

Geography

Elevation

Located 966 km from the South Pole and 1920 km from the northern tip of the Antarctica Peninsula, it is the highest peak of the Antarctica continent at 4,897 metres. Mt. Vinson is part of the Ellsworth Mountains, which rise majestically from the Ronne Ice Shelf.

Climate

Temperature range from a low of -40^oC and an average of -27^oC. During the summer, the average temperature is -28.9^oC and the intense sun can melt snow that has fallen on dark coloured objects.

Although the polar ice cap’s high-pressure system creates a predominantly stable, cold and windless conditions, the Antarctic climate always holds the possibility of high winds and snowfall.

Terrain

Moderate slopes with glaciated terrain

 

History

Discovered in 1957, Vinson Massif was named after Congressman Carl G Vinson of Georgia, USA who was influential in promoting Antarctica exploration from 1935-1961.

Mt. Vinson was first climbed in 1966 and was the last of the seven summits to be conquered. The American Alpine Club and the National Geographic Society sponsored an American team which was led by Nicholas B. Clinch. The team summitted Mt. Vinson two weeks after their arrival on December 17, 1966.

 

The Challenge

The Vinson Team will leave for Antarctica in early December 99 via the same flight route as the South Pole team. Upon arrival at Base Camp, they will attempt to reach the Summit two weeks after establishing two high camps.

While Mt. Vinson is similar to other alpine routes what separates it from the other peaks is the sheer isolation of the mountain and the extraordinary views from its summit.

Members of the Vinson team possesses mountaineering skills. They also have to be prepared for harsh conditions of extreme cold and at times, ferocious winds.