MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

British group to re-edit Scott's first polar expedition

A British group, the Numis Polar Challenge will be attempting to re-edit this season Robert Falcon Scott's first expedition to the South Pole, revealed Peter McDowell, General Manager of Adventure Network Chile, affiliate of Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions, (ALE).

The company operating from Punta Arenas, and which specializes in Antarctic travel and expeditions will be responsible for the logistics support of the Numis Polar Challenge made up of retired British military, with no previous Antarctic experience, who will be guided by expert Geoff Sommers.

The Numis expedition not only plans to follow on Scott's steps but will be using similar equipment to that of the British explorer a hundred years ago: wooden sledge and skis; canvas tents; bamboo sticks; gabardine parkas; skin boots and gloves.

The British are expected in Punta Arenas December 14 and are scheduled to begin the expedition December 22 which is estimated to last four weeks.

Some other interesting events booked for this season include a Venezuelan expedition famous for having conquered some of the highest peaks in the world which is planning to reach the South Pole in January 2006.

Australian Damien Gildea, on his seventh tour and who on three occasions climbed Antarctica's highest peak, Mount Vinson (4.987 metres) this time is targeting other mountains in Patriot Hills' area.

Two groups of Norwegians are also planning to reach the South Pole. One of them is led by explorer Borge Ousland who became famous in 1995 when he was the first person in skiing on his own with no support to both poles.

New Zealander Peter Hilary will be skiing for two weeks in mount Ellsworth, next to Patriot Hills. Another New Zealander Guy Cotter plans to again attempt climbing Mount Vinson and Andronico Luksic, belonging to Chile's richest family and an admirer of Antarctic landscape is also on Mc Dowell's list.

"Next November 9 is programmed our first of 15 season flights from Punta Arenas to Antarctica", said Australian born McDowell.

"Actually somewhere between 120 and 130 people from all over the world will be attempting to conquer Mount Vinson, and we'll also be supporting a total of thirty skiers who will be doing the 89 to 90parallels".

Another interesting experience is that of British company Voyage Concepts, guiding a space vehicle from Patriot Hills to the South Pole, beginning December 5.