18 Jan 2017

Explore Antarctica's Historical Gateway: The Ross Sea

Explore Antarctica's Historical Gateway: The Ross Sea
 
The majority of people visiting Antarctica do so via South America to the Antarctic Peninsula. But there is another lesser known gateway through New Zealand to the Ross Sea region of Antarctica.  This region is sometimes referred to as Antarctica's 'Historic Gateway', because it was through this Gateway that explorers such as Scott, Shackleton, Amundsen, Shirase and Borchgrevink reached Antarctica in their quest for the South Pole (and fame). Relics from a number of these expeditions remain such as  Scott’s Discovery and Terra Nova huts, Shackleton's Nimrod hut and Borchgrevink's hut at Cape Adare. These huts provide visitors with a unique lens into the past, bringing alive characters and events from this Heroic period of Antarctic exploration in a way that is not possible anywhere else in the world.

We have been offering annual Ross Sea expeditions since the summer of 1993/94. There are occasional other visitors but we largely have the Ross Sea to ourselves; it is rare that you see another vessel and therefore timetabling or scheduling landings is not an issue. Unlike the Peninsula which is accessible from November through to April, the Ross Sea is only accessible for a few weeks in January and February each year.  We have a longer distance to travel to the Ross Sea than across the Drake Passage, but we do have some amazing Subantarctic Islands to break up the journey. Sea conditions and weather conditions on the voyage south can be similar to the Drake Passage and ice conditions are definitely a lot more difficult and unpredictable. However, for those who take the journey the rewards are amazing.

It takes an experienced crew and staff to work in what is arguably some of the toughest conditions on the globe. Our vessels have proven themselves time and time again. Our Captains have sailed this route more than anybody else in the history of Antarctic exploration. I am proud of the knowledge, passion and commitment that my staff bring to each expedition, they are simply the best, like the earliest explorers to this part of Antarctica, they are heroes.

If Antarctica is calling, if it is in your blood and you are looking for a truly unique and rewarding experience consider joining us next summer as we follow in the footsteps of Scott, Shackleton and others to the Ross Sea of Antarctica.

Contact us to request a full expedition itinerary today.


Where does it come from? Where does it go?

Carbon dioxide, that is...  We all know that burning fossil fuels produces carbon dioxide, but only about half of it stays in the atmosphere, and the Southern Ocean is the most important “sink” for the rest of it.

Click on the link to read how Heritage Expeditions will be helping GNS scientists answer this incredibly important question on the ice this summer.

News Crew visits Campbell Island

"You can read all the books, you can watch all the documentaries but until you stand up here amongst the tussock and see the albatross, it's then that you take ownership. It's then that you start caring" - Rodney Russ, interviewed by Newshub journalist Thomas Mead in the Subantarctic Islands in December.

View the video clip, filmed at Campbell Island, and keep an eye out for familiar faces including Rodney and chef Connor. 
Image ©Newshub

Five Days til the TEDxScottBase Broadcast 

This year, the Antarctic community is celebrating the 60th anniversary of the opening of Scott Base. To honour this auspicious occasion, Antarctica New Zealand will be hosting the first-of-its-kind TEDxScottBase event, which will be broadcast worldwide on January 22. You'll be able to watch the event at www.tedxscottbase.com or at various viewing parties being held around the world.

School up for free: a virtual Antarctic field trip
Victoria University, in conjunction with Antarctica New Zealand,  has just opened enrolments for Antarctica: From Geology to Human History, a free online course starting on Saturday 15th April. Taken by Antarctic experts Dr Cliff Atkins and Dr Rebecca Priestly, lectures were filmed on location in the Dry Valleys and on Ross Island. “It’s not easy to take students to Antarctica, but by filming the lectures on the ice, we can introduce students around the world to this incredible continent,” says Dr Priestley. Read more about this very special course and how to enroll here.


Antarctic Expeditions for 2018
We have now released our expedition calendar right through until April 2018. Next season, we'll be offering four Antarctic expeditions, three to the Ross Sea and one to East Antarctica. These expeditions will be aboard the Spirit of Enderby and her sister ship, Akademik Shokalskiy.

Expeditions depart

8 January 2018 - East Antarctica
10 January 2018 - Ross Sea
2 February 2018 - Ross Sea
8 February 2018 - Ross Sea

To request a full expedition itinerary or to enquire about availability, contact us today.