When does a journey start?

Different people experience the start of a journey differently but I believe everyone has some point where they realise they crossed the point of no return.  For some the final day's packing brings that point home, for some maybe when their luggage are checked in.  For me it was when the pilot ships pulled the SA Agulhas away from the pier.  

For me it was a very strong metaphor of my loved ones receding into the background while I am being pulled into my next voyage.  The fun, laughter and safety of being together with your loved ones has now ended and the reality of the path you chose sets in.  On this voyage their companionship will not be possible and for me it hinted at the ultimate solitude of one's life and that some experiences cannot be shared.  

The good thing is that on this journey I have a new family and a new life, new adventures and new things to explore...(and of course there is blogging, internet, telephones, whatsapp etc.)

4 days to departure

No matter how much time you leave for planning, training and preparation, eventually it will run out.  Eventually your commitment or lack of it will be rewarded.  

The world's knowledge is pretty much accessible anywhere. Although experience and specialist knowledge are more difficult to google, you can still phone or e-mail someone more experienced than yourself.  Seeing that SANAE is connected to the web and has a good telephone connection I will have enough resources of knowledge and experience.  The resources of bodies and hands to implement what needs be is limited and therefore potentially problematic but what really worries me is that panic stricken yell of: "We forgot to bring: ......!!!".  

No shops or DHL or Fedex for 14 months.

On the one hand I relish the thought of 14 months of absolute marketing cease fire.  No commercials of the-next-really-essential-item-you-never-needed-until-now and no telephone marketers who religiously believe they will convince you that you need a second cellphone.  

But there is a lot to be said for convenience.  Our lives have evolved into convenience whirlpools and I am not sure how I will adapt in the absence of it.  

But maybe I should stop philosophizing about it and run through my "What to take" list one more time....  

Earth moving in a land of ice

This baby is one of roughly 5 that will be used to clear ice where it is not needed and move ice where it is needed.


During storms in Antarctica wind driven snow builds up on the leeward (down wind) side of any obstacle, this forms sastrugi (term with Nordic descent) which hampers ease of movement and which we need to remove from time to time.  On the other hand we melt snow for drinking water and we therefor collect ice for this purpose.  


Our whole team had the very empowering experience of handling these 20 odd ton machines.

First team session

Yesterday we had our first session with the complete team.  The technical staff has been here for about a month but the scientists only joined us yesterday.  Listening to everyone's story of how they got to this point in time kindles a weird kind of respect.  Maybe the fact that we are all in this together come rain or shine demands a different relationship from what is normal.  Maybe the fact that you can choose your friends but can't choose your expedition members puts them closer to the category of family...as you probably know you can't choose family either.  It might sound as if I have reservations about my team when I say you cannot choose them, on the contrary, I am very fortunate to be part of SANAE 51.  I am looking forward to this chapter of my life with all the joy, wonder, awe, heartache, turmoil, sweat and tears it will probably hold.

Watch this space!!

This weekend Celia (my girlfriend) and I went shopping for what I believe will be a key ingredient in experiencing Antarctica.

It is light and sturdy,  it has a nice grip for use with bulky mittens and it has a sheath for protecting the rest of the stuff in your backpack.  


Admittedly it is labeled as a pruning saw and maybe I am not an authority on the topic but I am convinced that this saw will be ideal for cutting ice.  In life few things turn out the way we expect them to, so it is with cautious enthusiasm that I am planning the construction of my first igloo.

Planned departure.

Just a very quick update.  We are currently busy with training in Cape Town.  We are only departing for Antarctica on 8 December 2011.  

Never reinvent the wheel!

If you want more information on the history and background of SANAE, check out some of my links.

SANAE IV Base - Planned home for 12 months
(2 months allowed for traveling)

Where it all started?

Despite the complexity of all our dreams and the envisaged path to reach them, I think most decisions in life are as simple as: "Yes or No".


So to sign up for a 14 month expedition to travel and live in the most inhospitable continent on earth can start with a simple: Yes.  This was the answer to the first question of whether I should enquire about a possible position in the 51st South African expedition to Antarctica.  


Life sometimes keeps her doors closed but sometimes she throws them open like a grocery salesman on a hot summer's day.  It took roughly a month from my first inquiry to arriving in Cape Town for training.  In that time I had to formally apply, survive an interview, survive a health check, survive delicate negotiations with the loved ones and I had to pack up my humble yet comfortable life in George.


It should however be mentioned that as with most stories this one also started before its beginning.  Firstly, the fact that I grew up in a house where excuses to travel was scarce and, secondly, maybe the fact that the word 'Expedition' came up while fishing with my brothers the weekend before; both played roles in the decision.