Innovative conservation since 1903
UPDATE MAY 2013 NO.22
The newsletter of Fauna & Flora International www.fauna-flora.org/update The Alexandra Shackleton replica lifeboat
CREDIT: ED WARDLE/SHACKLETON EPIC
Antarctic explorers triumphant in Shackleton re-enactment On the evening of 10 February 2013, a team of weary adventurers, led by Tim Jarvis, reached their final destination after a gruelling 19day journey. Known as the Shackleton Epic, the expedition was in honour of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s famous Antarctic voyage, almost one hundred years ago. The crew sailed a lifeboat 800 nautical miles, from Elephant Island, across the notoriously treacherous Southern Ocean, and then climbed over the precipitous, heavily glaciated mountainous interior of South Georgia. Using only period equipment and clothing, the crew stayed true to the difficulties Sir Ernest Shackleton and his crew would have endured a century ago.
The crew endured eight metre swells and gales of 50 knot winds aboard the Alexandra Shackleton, a purpose-built 22.5’ lifeboat, an exact replica of Shackleton’s original. In addition to the period clothing, the crew ate a rationed diet of seasoned animal fat. The only concessions to the use of modern equipment was the storage of emergency gear, the presence of a support vessel (which was only to be called on in the event of serious
trouble), and the use of a tent and sleeping bags to survive a blizzard during the first night of the mountain crossing. For Melissa Shackleton Dann, Chair of FFI’s US board (and relative of Sir Ernest Shackleton), “It is a pleasure and a privilege to be associated with such an exciting adventure – and to know that FFI will benefit from it as well. Tim and his crew have shown tremendous courage, and on behalf of FFI, I’d like to not only thank them for their support and partnership in this endeavour, but also offer our heartfelt congratulations on the successful completion of their voyage.” It’s not too late to show your support for the Shackleton Epic crew – turn to page 7 to find out how. n
CREDIT: TIM JARVIS/SHACKLETON EPIC
CREDIT: JO STEWART/SHACKLETON EPIC
In 1916, Shackleton and his crew set out on an ambitious mission, hoping to be the first to cross Antarctica. Thwarted when their ship became trapped and later crushed by sea ice, Shackleton showed the strength and leadership he is now known for, leading five men on what Sir Edmund Hillary called, “The greatest survival story ever undertaken.”
Nearly a century later, a courageous crew have completed the Shackleton Epic, an authentic re-enactment to honour the original voyage and help raise awareness about the impacts of climate change on the fragile Antarctic environment. Alexandra Shackleton, granddaughter of Sir Ernest, brought the idea to Tim Jarvis back in 2008. Fauna & Flora International (FFI) was the expedition’s conservation partner, benefiting from the crew’s fundraising activities as well as the scientific data collected from the expedition’s support vessel.
Crossing the mountainous interior of South Georgia
Tim Jarvis (left) and mountaineer Barry Gray