Extreme Southern Endurance 2008 - Antarctica

Product Details

Antarctic Region Gap Year Expedition (November - December 2008)

Below the ‘Antarctic Convergence’ lies the Southern Atlantic region, a wild and rugged area that surpasses the imagination in scenic grandeur. Regarded by scientists and explorers alike as one of the last truly pristine regions on Earth, the area’s ethereal icescapes and prolific wildlife make it an adventurer’s playground and fieldworker’s paradise.

BSES has a unique five year expedition programme in connection with the UK ice breaker patrol vessel HMS Endurance. This is the ship which facilitated the BBC Natural History Unit when filming series such as ‘Life in the Freezer’, ‘The Living Planet’ and ‘Blue Planet’. Throughout the five years we will be conducting scientific expeditions on the historic Falkland Islands and glacial South Georgia. The science programme will focus on investigating climate change and global warming in addition to contributing to practical conservation projects. There will also be plenty of opportunity for adventure and exploration. BSES are the only dedicated youth expedition charity (that we know of) that operates in the Antarctic region.

Join our team of explorers and scientists in 2008 and experience the abundant wildlife, unforgettable scenery, and unique history that the Falkland Islands and South Georgia have to offer. Like Charles Darwin you will find flora and fauna here that are not found anywhere else in the world and, in following the footsteps of Shackleton, you will explore South Georgia trekking up the glaciers and climbing some of the peaks that he ascended.

The International Polar Year in 2007 helped enhance our understanding of polar ecosystems and raised awareness of the importance of Antarctica to the rest of the World. Our expedition will make a valuable contribution to the continuation of this work.

Our 2008 expedition itinerary takes full advantage of the vibrant early season on South Georgia when few other vessels will be around the island. It will be early summer in South Georgia and the Falklands, and we will find vast colonies of King Penguins and Elephant Seals in their peak of breeding activity, and several species of Albatross.

Scientific fieldwork

The research that you will carry out throughout your time in the region will be focussed on climate change and conservation of the delicate ecosystem. Penguins are a characteristic feature of the southern ecosystem and you will play an important environmental role in the region by re-establishing the penguin’s natural habitat and conducting a beach-long penguin survey. You will also visit enormous rookeries of king penguins and chinstraps, as featured on David Attenborough’s ‘Life in Freezer’ series.

You will contribute to the international Agreement for the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels (ACAP) and investigate the population of Elephant and Fur Seals - once hunted almost to extinction for their blubber and pelts. You will also monitor the impact of the huge herds of Reindeer, originally introduced to South Georgia by the early whalers at the turn of the century.

Falkland Islands

Your adventure will begin in the Falkland Islands with a thorough training programme. You will be taught all the essential skills required for safe travel in the mountains and explore the islands and surrounding seas. 2007 saw the 25th Anniversary of the Falklands War and you will retrace the footsteps of Royal Marines and other British Forces that yomped across the Falkland Islands to the battlefields surrounding Stanley.

Voyage from Falklands to South Georgia aboard HMS Endurance

On your voyage through this stunning area you will see humpback and minke whales feeding near the surface, breaching or slapping their enormous flippers on the water. Other species found in Antarctic waters include the killer whale (orca), fin and sei whales, solitary male sperm whales, and the southern right whale, which was once hunted almost to extinction.

The voyage is a time of preparation and training, there will be time to reinforce the theoretical side of the land based projects you will be working on. Expedition members will hold informal presentations covering a wide range of subjects. You will choose a topic to research and present a 'master class' on; this could be anything from a slide presentation on the local wildlife or history to a practical workshop on a useful skill that you would like to share with the team.

Leaders will run sessions sharing their own specialist knowledge whether it be on the geology of the landscape, seals and penguins, marine ecology or the current state of our oceans and climate. The aim is to encourage all members to build up a broader understanding of the Polar Regions and provide an opportunity to discuss and debate key issues facing Antarctica and our planet.

Other sessions will develop your leadership in the outdoors giving you the confidence to move safely in the mountains. Members will learn leadership techniques and skills, and practice leading their group during this expedition. We try to give all expedition members as much responsibility as possible and hope to provide insights and encouragement to help you run your own expeditions in the future. You will also get involved with the busy daily working routines of HMS Endurance - Britain’s ice patrol vessel.

South Georgia

South Georgia’s mountain chain rises straight from the southern oceans and offers unrivalled opportunities for glacier traverses, ski mountaineering, snow holing and trekking. Many of its peaks remain unclimbed and the climate can be extreme. Since Shackleton put it on the map, very few people have had the privilege of exploring South Georgia because of its extreme isolation.

There are only 14 places available so apply today for this unique opportunity!

How to apply

Application deadline: Friday 29th August.

Compulsory training weekend: Thursday 4th - Sunday 7th September 2008, Wales.

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Our users say...

"BSES provided an opportunity to visit a part of the world very few ever get the chance to, to see wildlife that I only knew existed through television documentaries and to endure a landscape so barren that experiencing true solitude became a possibility. Sandie Ewence