Team members say

Since the previous blog we have experienced nature showing off in many ways. The e-Base visit was completed via Zodiac in a 40 knot wind which was exciting to say the least! This combined with our latitude gave us a wind chilled air of –20C.

The base itself is a truly incredible achievement being now fully supplied by renewable power including solar panels, a wind generator and even a static bike to add a human power boost.

Since picking Robert and the team from e-Base we have been regaled with the many amazing tales of exploits and truly great achievements against the odds.

Yesterday was spent sailing through the ice bergs of the Weddle Sea on the way to brown Bay where we landed in perfect weather for a walk up to Brown Bluff to complete the photo opportunity bit. There was time whilst there to take in the atmosphere and sit quietly to reflect on the sheer majesty of where we were, a deep experience indeed.

Today we retraced our course through the Gerlache Straight again in perfect wall to wall sunshine. Having landed in Charcot Bay we a further Leadership on The Edge experience in what must be the world’s most fantastic open air classroom. This concluded when, right on cue a huge iceberg in the bay disintegrated in front of us driving home the effects of the warming that Antarctica is currently experiencing.

The last major event f the day was spotting a pod of Orka, an sight of sufficient rarity to have the crew running out on deck with their cameras. This was so great that I momentarily forgot the extremely lucky win that Harlequins had on the weekend (yes, some information can get through when it really important). Now that really is nature showing off!

I look forward to seeing those I left behind and sharing this seemingly endless stream of new experiences and possibly even how they have changed me.

Signing off for now, Mark

So far this amazing journey can be summarized as “great fun regularly punctuated by personal firsts”, beginning with my first ever trip to Latin America (not to mention my 1st walk through Miami Airport wearing snow boots and a ski coat!). This was followed in quick succession by my first hike to a glacier, first over night in a ship cabin, first time in the Antarctic, first whale pod sighting, first iceberg sighting, etc, etc. This may even be followed shortly by my first WebEx over a satellite link from e-base. All this has been shared with some great new friends most of whom are also experiencing these for the first time.

After 2 days on board ship I think we now all feel we’re really “out there” and have a small taste of what the explorers of old experienced but with the vital additions of heaters, comfy beds, great food and flat water conditions!

My hope for the remainder of the mission is that 2041 continue to keep these wonderful experiences coming so we can all add to our “personal firsts” lists (and that I can remove the only negative first which is not knowing the Harlequins vs Bath score over 36 hours after the game has finished).

For the serious bit, on the few occasions that David (my Wal-Mart colleague) and I have discussed business we have spotted some great mutual opportunities. This has proven a little difficult though as it can interfere with the generally fab experience we are having.

For those people I miss (and the fewer who miss me) this is a genuinely amazing journey and I look forward to boring you all when I regale you with endless tales on my return.

Mark’s initial thoughts on climate change…

I don’t really know what [to do] because there is always a counter argument to any action.