Antarctica Trekking
A week-long exploration of King George Island, stressing decision-making, teamwork, and leadership in a challenging environment. The venture uses ski-sleds and mountaineering equipment to explore remote stretches of the island’s glacial ice cap. It draws upon the experience of Ernest Shackleton, Robert Scott, and other early Antarctica explorers for discussion and analysis of leading in extreme environments or under great duress. The experience emphasizes self-discipline and self-reliance for overcoming a host of obstacles under harsh conditions. It also requires team reliance, loyalty, and leadership. Participants are divided into teams of three, and with rotating leadership they take responsibility for activities ranging from meal preparation to glacial navigation.
Important Dates:
Apply here until
Participant Application Open: Mid-September
Participants Accepted will be notified by: Mid-October
Info Session: Mid-September
Scholarship Recipients Notified: Mid-October
Deposit of $300 due for all expeditions: End October
Antarctica Final Payment due: Early November
Additional Costs for Participants Not Included in Land Costs:
Round-trip Flight to Punta Arenas, Chile: ~$1,800 – $2,000
Gear (renting and borrowing encouraged): ~$600
Meals During Travel (before and after expedition): ~$60
Activities & Risks
Activities include glacial trekking, navigation, and tent camping on a glacier. Risk included multi-day exposure, hypothermia, and isolated travel.
Training
Participants will be served well by being in excellent physical condition, preferably with prior rugged outdoor experience, and they should be ready to face severe conditions.
Costs & Equipment
The land cost is $6,500 and covers the flight from Punta Arenas, Chile to King George Island, Antarctica, all land costs in King George Island, Antarctica, professional fees, park entrance, lodging (1st and last night of hotel/lodge), all meals, guides, tents, cooking/meeting tent, utensils, radios, GPS, maps, all meals in King George Island, and all technical workshops.
Our partner organization, Vertical S.A., will also include a backpack, foam sleeping pad and sleeping bag for use during the expedition (you will not need to buy these three items, but may want to consider purchasing a Thermarest inflatable sleeping pad).
Expedition cost does not include: Gear for the expedition excluding the above items, flights to/from Punta Arenas, Chile, extra nights of accommodation in Punta Arenas in case of bad weather or any delay to Antarctica. Transfer from Punta Arenas Airport to Hotel (in and out). Meals in Punta Arenas.
Additional Costs for Participants Not Included in Land Costs:
Round-trip Flight to Santiago, Chile to Punta Arenas: ~$1,800 – $2,000
Gear (renting and borrowing encouraged): ~$600
Meals During Travel (before and after expedition): ~$60
Venture Fellows will send out the Equipment Lists to participants.
Key Information
Date: December 27, 2017 – January 4, 2018
Participant fee: $6500 (land cost including flight from Punta Arenas, Chile to Antarctica, backpacks, foam sleeping pads and sleeping bags.)
Number of seats: 10
Location: King George Island, Antarctica
Venture Fellow: Tiffany Kim and Isaac Nilson
Important Note: The return flight from Antarctica to Punta Arenas may be delayed due to bad weather. We encourage participants to allow for an additional two days before returning to the United States.
Please Review the Guide for Visitors to the Antarctic.
