We’ve been busy meeting with the various people at ALE ensuring that everything is in order for our trip down South. Mike Sharp and Peter McDowell have a wealth of experience and information built up from their many years providing logistical support for polar travellers; they also have an amazing team of people from all around the globe working with them and the operation is impressive from the start. In addition to route planning and discussing expedition logistics, we have had the chance to make any necessary contingency plans in the case of emergency.
From the point of view of the team, we have had the opportunity to discuss plans for the day to day running of the expedition – campcraft, marching strategy, conflict resolution and many apparently small issues that in an extreme and isolated environment can snowball into major sources of contention. The team has a great and enthusiastic attitude and we want to maintain these high spirits for the next 10 weeks.
We visited Shackleton’s bar for lunch and a drink – which is located in the Braun house on the square. Inside, there is a picture of Shackleton that was donated to the bar by his brother and on the walls are a series of impressive watercolors, commissioned as a tribute to the Endurance. The atmosphere in the bar was inspiring and brought Shackleton’s amazing feats closer to the heart.
