Luminous Landscape Forum

Site & Board Matters => About This Site => Topic started by: Frodo on September 24, 2018, 05:29:41 pm

Title: Antarctica 2020 Expedition
Post by: Frodo on September 24, 2018, 05:29:41 pm
It looks like Kevin and Art have a fantastic expedition planned.  As a marine biologist who studied in Antarctica, I can attest to the sublime beauty of the continent. I am currently working to have marine reserves in key areas around Antarctica and was involved in the successful US / New Zealand proposal to protect the Ross Sea.

The Antarctic Peninsula area is one of the most important parts of Antarctica in terms of wildlife and most spectacular in terms of landscapes.  It is also the most threatened in terms of climate change, fishing for krill (a tiny crustacean at the bottom of most Antarctic food webs), and, to a lesser degree, tourism. 

The Argentine and Chilean governments have just proposed to create a marine reserve around key parts of the Peninsula and South Scotia Sea.  This will go a long way to addressing the threats of krill fishing and increase resilience to climate change.  There is some more information here: https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/fact-sheets/2017/10/protection-for-the-antarctic-peninsula-region

The international Commission that manages the Southern Ocean (CCAMLR) makes decisions by consensus and so a diverse range of member countries from the US to Russia and China need to agree.  Russia and China, in particular, are resisting current efforts to protect this important part of Antarctica and indeed our planet.

As landscape photographers, we have the opportunity to show the beauty and importance of the world's special places to those who make decisions about these areas.  If there is interest (and the moderators deem this to be appropriate) I would be happy to provide updates as this proposal is considered in Hobart, Australia next month.

And I am sure that all those fortunate to go on this expedition will have a fantastic time!
Title: Re: Antarctica 2020 Expedition
Post by: Kevin Raber on September 24, 2018, 05:37:20 pm
Exceptional experience is the best way to describe this trip.  Exceptional ship too.  It will be non-stop the whole time.  I tell everyone this that visits Antarctica that the place changes you.  I'm sure those that have visited there will tell yu the same.  Great chance to revisit Antarctica and a great chance to see it for the first time.
Title: Re: Antarctica 2020 Expedition
Post by: Two23 on September 24, 2018, 05:42:28 pm
While I'm not interested in group type tours at all, I would be interested in either a small hotel type operation or simply being dropped off for a couple of weeks with tent & small amount of provisions.  I've been looking into such a trip after I retire, talking to Chilean university types that my brother-n-law (University of Minnesota professor) knows.  I have some $$ to fund that.  What I'd like to see is something like what they have in Svalbard set up down there.  I greatly prefer the freedom of being on my own, and taking my time to absorb the experience.


Kent in SD
Title: Re: Antarctica 2020 Expedition
Post by: Kevin Raber on September 24, 2018, 06:31:33 pm
Trent that’s really not possible in Antarctica. Everything is ship based.  You’ll get plenty of photography in and when you are ashore you can go off on your own. We do cover a lot of ground.  Being with a group in this kind of tour assures you that you’ll see what’s great.  We also do the best we can to be at the right spots for good light. 
Title: Re: Antarctica 2020 Expedition
Post by: Frodo on September 24, 2018, 06:51:21 pm
I agree with Kevin, small private camping trips are not possible.  Nor desirable, I should add.  The environmental impact of tourism increases significantly with people camping - such as waste disposal, especially human waste, as well as giving the residents (wildlife) some peace.
IAATO ( the International Association of Antarctic Tourism Operators) does a generally good job at self-managing tourism impacts (e.g. use of drones).
I think that small ships, like that used in the Antarctica 2020 Expedition, are the best of both worlds.  They provide a personal convivial environment, as well as good food, a comfortable bed, and reliable waste disposal.  If you want a camping experience, I suggest there are better (and less sensitive) places to do this.
One more thing, most tourism operators aim to maximise the sights, often at "convenient times". This means that photography can be hurried and often not in the morning/evening light.  A true photographic expedition is more focused on morning light than a comfortable sleep-in!  So it looks like the A2020 Expedition is the ideal mix!

Antarctica changes you.  Shackleton's navigator spoke of the "little voices" bringing you back.
Its likely that you will become an Antarctic Ambassador.  This Continent needs Ambassadors to speak on its behalf when those making decision remotely have never experienced its grandeur!
Title: Re: Antarctica 2020 Expedition
Post by: Two23 on September 24, 2018, 07:18:32 pm
Wife & I once had the four of us (two sons) dropped off from the train at Moose River, and we paddled downstream to Moosonee on James Bay.  Didn't see a trace of any other person.  We also took a float plane trip from Inuvik to Banks Island to see musk ox, and camped three nights on tundra.  We are planning on a return trip to Iceland, driving a 4x4 through the interior, and also want to visit Baffin Island and Svalbard.  We're adventurous people!  Here at home in the Dakotas my hobby is to go out on winter nights during blizzards, in temps down to 40 below, and take photos of trains.  I'm the type who is perfectly fine alone with a good pair of boots, a rifle, and a sharp knife. :)  I'm just not a group tour kind of person. If I could be left to wander about all day with just my wife & I, that might be OK.  We go on trips to experience solitude in places few visit.  I want to shoot dry plates like Shackleford, maybe with a vintage full plate (6.5 x 8 in.) camera made ~1910.  I'm not that interested in wildlife, especially birds.   Also don't do well on boats--a couple of times I got sick while bobbing around half frozen lakes in 30 mph winds in my little duck boat during early winter duck hunts.


Kent in SD

Below photo from Aberdeen, SD
40 mph wind and 22F below zero.
Title: Re: Antarctica 2020 Expedition
Post by: bobtowery on September 27, 2018, 09:08:19 pm
Kevin, your text says the Penthouse suite has a separate bedroom. But the photo (mockup?) doesn't show the bed in a separate room. Can you find out which is correct? Thx.
Title: Re: Antarctica 2020 Expedition
Post by: Jeremy Roussak on September 28, 2018, 02:34:37 pm
Antarctica changes you.  Shackleton's navigator spoke of the "little voices" bringing you back.
Its likely that you will become an Antarctic Ambassador.  This Continent needs Ambassadors to speak on its behalf when those making decision remotely have never experienced its grandeur!

It's absolutely stunning. I was there with Kevin in February. I had a wonderful time and as soon as I've saved sufficient pennies (and "sufficient" is really quite a few), I'll be back.

Jeremy
Title: Re: Antarctica 2020 Expedition
Post by: Schewe on September 28, 2018, 07:14:58 pm
Exceptional ship too.

I looked at the ship...you'all are a bunch pussies!!!

I mean, a real dinning room? Cabins (rooms) with sliding glass doors? Where's the flickering fluorescent lights and bad vinyl paneling and bathrooms with the hot water pipes exposed?

How can you possibly go on an Antarctic expedition and live in luxury?

Ah, the good'ole days when the Russian crew would be sneaking smokes on deck and the layers of paint produced really interesting textures. You know, those "converted Russian research vessels" (AKA spy ships) had a lot of character....

Just sayin'
Title: Re: Antarctica 2020 Expedition
Post by: Kevin Raber on September 28, 2018, 09:32:39 pm
Jeff, it was the good ole days.  I miss that old Russian ship.  But, here we are.  For once I am going to enjoy a nice bed with a view.  At least in 2020 we will enjoy a comfortable trip.  Why don't you join us?
Title: Re: Antarctica 2020 Expedition
Post by: Schewe on September 28, 2018, 11:01:21 pm
At least in 2020 we will enjoy a comfortable trip.  Why don't you join us?

Let's talk! That ship looks really nice!!!