the Bering strait odyssey 2005 Dixie Dansercoer
Introduction The crossing of the Bering Strait between Alaska and Russia will be attempted during the months of February and March 2005. A world premier feat will be added to the first traverse with a double-back crossing to Alaska, with the planned arrival as the original point of departure. The exact point of departure will be determined after in-depth research regarding ice-thickness, predominant wind direction and reigning currents. The expedition, although contingent on these and other natural factors, will be executed in the swiftest way possible using a combination of intelligent strategies, continuous meteorological updates and meticulous preparation. The expedition members will utilize the fusion of manpower together with a specially designed power-kite system in order to pull their sledges in autonomy. On a journey which will cross the mythic International Date Line, the team members are prepared to face possible and probable dangers such as moving blocks of ice, possible falls in the water, and the presence of the polar bear. Ideally, Dixie Dansercoer and Troy Henkels hope to avoid the Arctic Circle, situated at a mere 50 kilometres north of the Bering Strait. However with shifting meteorological conditions, the game of adventure must allow for and indeed welcome the unexpected. For example, typical ice movements will carry the expedition north into the Arctic Ocean at speeds up to 4 km/hr, but Mother Nature can decide anything! According to wind direction and strength, a second crossing by gas balloon is also planned.
Frigid Air Ballooning in the Arctic requires intricate preparation and anticipation, much more organisation in comparison to a leisurely outing in the earth’s less harsh regions. While Arctic air travel is dependant on unique wind intensities and direction, it is the inevitable touchdown on a frozen ocean (often filled with compression zones and precarious stretches of open water) which presents a technically challenging story. Emergency scenarios must be envisioned to encompass survival techniques applicable to anyone wanting a communion with polar deserts of ice and snow. Ideally, expert balloonists Philippe De Cock and Ronny Vanhavere will transport Dixie and Troy as passengers in their inflatable craft following the completion of the Bering Strait Traverse. Together the four adventurers will follow approximately the same route that Dixie and Troy covered on foot. West to East or East to West, Mother Nature will decide… The “Belgica” will be the first balloon to have crossed the Bering Strait.
Expedition’s Purpose The expedition members wish to honour the courageous efforts of a myriad of humans throughout history who have dared to attempt the impossible. The spirit of adventure, and the opportunity to accomplish what no one has done before, combine to make a powerful motivation for someone with a deep love of the polar regions. The ability to unite two continents in such a way gives an extra dimension to the otherwise sportive and daring adventure.
UNICEF Belgium It is with utmost respect that Dixie Dansercoer, one of Belgium’s eight ambassadors for UNICEF, would like to bring attention to this organization via the Bering Strait Odyssey 2005. Through this expedition Dixie wishes to heighten awareness for UNICEF’s projects which assist children worldwide.
heads and shoulders
Expedition members
Ground 1) Dixie Dansercoer Kafmaasberg 4 B-3040 Huldenberg, Belgium Expedition leader
Air 3) Art Mortvedt 90 Polar Road – Box 86 Manley Hot Springs, Alaska 99756 USA Airplane pilot
2) Troy Henkels P.O. Box 772434 Eagle River, Alaska 99577-2434 USA Expeditioner
4) Philippe De Cock and Ronny Vanhavere Oude Heerweg Heide 86 B-9250 Waasmunster, Belgium Balloonist
Communications and Press Relations in Alaska 5) Julie Brown Kafmaasberg 4 B-3040 Huldenberg, Belgium Communications coordinator
Russian Relations Officer 6) Victor Serov Vicaar, Marata 24a 191040 St. Petersburg, Russia
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Bering Strait
ALASKA
SIBERIA
ASIA
AMERICA
Bering Sea
the first arctic explorers Old World-New World Scientists have proven that the earliest movements of people into the New World were by way of the Bering Strait at least 15,000 years ago. However, we do not know how continuous or sporadic this movement from the Old World was. We know, for example, that pottery from the west side of the Bering Strait was making its way into the New World around 3000 years ago.
The first Arctic Explorers To people who come from temperate countries of forests and plains, the Arctic appears to be an empty land of rock, gravel and ice, where nothing grows and life would seem impossible. But to hunting folk who have developed the skills and knowledge necessary to survive in the far north, the Arctic environment provides a productive homeland. Its wealth is in its animals. Large numbers of caribou, seals and other local wildlife gather in dense seasonal concentrations, which make them easy to find and hunt. Migratory birds flock northwards to the summer tundra, taking advantage of the lack of predators and the food supplies stimulated by 24 hours of sunlight. The Arctic was the last large region of the habitable world to be occupied by humans. The ancestors of Native American passed through the Western Arctic near the end of the last ice age, as they expanded from Asia to America. However, their descendants never developed ways of life that allowed them to live throughout the year far to the north of the forests. Hunting peoples of north-eastern Siberia seem to have been the first to master the Arctic environment. About 5 000 years ago (maybe even 10,000 years ago), some of these people crossed the Bering Strait from Siberia to what is now Alaska. The crossing was probably made on winter ice, which forms a dangerous and unstable bridge between Asia and America. Over a period of several generations, they expanded across Arctic North America and became the first to explore this huge region of the northern world. Approximately 4000 years ago, their descendants had spread-out to occupy all of Arctic North America, as far north as Greenland and as far south as Labrador. Archaeologists call these peoples Palaeo-Eskimos, a name that means “Old Eskimos.” In Inuit traditions, they are known as “Tunit.” For over 3000 years, in isolation from the rest of the world, they developed a unique and intriguing way of life.
the Bering strait odyssey FAQ’s 1: How far is the planned traverse? The shortest distance between Alaska and Russia is just under 100 kilometres. However, strong ocean currents can easily double, triple, or quadruple the distance. The crossing by balloon will also be at the mercy of wind and weather patterns. All of these uncertainties add-up to an adventure in the true sense of the word. 2: Has anyone completed this double crossing before? The first successful single crossing on foot was accomplished by the Russian Dmitry Shparo in 1998. Together with his two sons, Shparo succeeded in the traverse after 4 failed attempts. Their actual distance of traverse was 280 kilometres. Since that time, seven more attempts were made, but all were unsuccessful. The double crossing remains an unaccom-plished, and is believed to be a never before attempted goal. A balloon crossing has not been undertaken so far. 3: How much time is needed to complete the journey? From March 15th onwards, there is a minimum of eight hours of daylight, allowing sufficient time to progress over the ice. The expedition will allow one month to traverse the Strait. After that, the condition of the pack-ice will slowly deteriorate.
4: What are the typical weather conditions expected? Travel over the ice will be in typical polar style, with temperatures ranging between – 15°c to – 40°C. The expedition will be in close contact with the headquarters in Wales, Alaska in order to use the weather forecasts and satellite images in our favour. 5: What are the inherent risks of the expedition? Risks, accepted as necessary conditions for any polar travel, will include ocean currents, leads (open water), frostbite, storms, polar bears and … our own ambition? 6: Is the ice pack around the North Pole really disappearing? Yes, recent scientific evidence proves that the layer of ice covering the Arctic Ocean is diminishing in depth and circumference at an alarming rate! The Polar expeditions of the future will have to play with new and different rules. More importantly: humanity needs to act before all polar wildlife will be extinct! 7: How different will this expedition be from the other polar expeditions? Since we will be operating beneath the Arctic Circle, it is clear that the presence of water will be more pronounced. Therefore this expedition will be more amphibious, swifter and fickle than typical polar expeditions. Call it adventure at its best!
8: Any new developments on the equipment level? The confrontation with the frigid open water must be welcomed. Thus, a fall in the ocean must be countered with specially made dry-suits. The tent will be engineered to offer flotation. The sledges must become true paddle-craft. Like always, a serious review of every single piece of equipment is an absolute must to comply with higher ambitions. 9: Why choose for the cold, the risks, physical discomforts, ….? “Why ask why? Is passion not enough?” 10: What are the chances for success? Believing is succeeding!
your Bering strait odyssey exposure
Internal participation of your company before, during and after the expedition Motivation through Active Participation: A close-knit team of motivated employees could cooperate in the following manner: • • • • •
Development of a concept which encompasses the expedition into internal projects Link the idea towards your clients, provoke parallels. Initiate interest among colleagues Forward information on an international level Seminars, motivational courses, presences, Circles Center - Switzerland.
Equipment wizards are welcome to help develop certain expedition materials.
Expose your company: • All contacts can be organised from within your company: • Press communications • Press dossiers • Your company’s spokesperson to address expedition developments to the press • Website master • Headquarters can be located on your company’s premises. Suggestion: organise an internal competition to promote exchanges between colleagues A delegation is welcome during the expedition’s round-trip travels.
Logo Placement 1• Expedition gear: Sledge Tents Powerkites Clothing Balloon Travel bags 2 • Website www.circles.cc: Publicity banner On-line newsletter
3 • Media: Press dossier Trailer video Logo on clothing during interviews 4 • Spin-off: Circles activities Film presentations.
CASE HISTORY: PARTNERSHIP WITH COMPAQ DURING THE CROSSING OF ANTARCTICA, 1997-1998 The principal and specific characteristics of the sponsorship arrangement with Compaq may be summarised as folows: Main sponsor: Compaq was sole sponsor and benefited from immediate brand name identification. There was a direct identification between the brand image and the expedition, at every stage. The sponsorship agreement, allowing ubiquitous brand name positioning, never became intrusive, due to the discreet and sympathetic way in which the issue was handled in practical terms. A unique event: The expeditions are unique events, due to their originality and the innovative quality of their approach. These “extreme” adventures are carried out under the triple banner of Adventure – Technology – Ethics. Translated: the best available technology at the service of adventure, carried out in the name of perfecting the human spirit.
Long-term, regular news bulletins, high press coverage, high logo visibility. Communication with the press during the time of the expeditions follows a particular dynamic, revolving around a few key elements: • A press conference, creating an original “event”, making for attractive visuals for television coverage (e.g. press coverage organised on the Icelandic icecap for the last Antarctic expedition) • A modern and attractive Internet site, encompassing direct communication, involvement of the partners and daily updates of the adventures. • Participation in the event by the large public by the exhibition, school programs and a diverse range of activities that accompany the expedition.The presence of a sole sponsor on the expedition equipment invites, generally speaking, more sympathetic treatment from the Press corps with regard to the omnipresent logos. Compaq required the logo to be visible on all equipment, such as the tent, the sledge, the sails, the clothing, etc. Product marketing opportunities: For Compaq, the fact that a laptop computer was made available for the expedition and was used under extreme conditions, became a selling point in future product marketing initiatives. A second marketing initiative could exploit the link between the expedition and the sponsor at the retail level. A third initiative was successfully implemented at the heart of the company itself, helping to forge a brand identity and team spirit through identification with the values espoused by the expedition members. Brand name identification with the large public reached 88% after the expedition, according to a survey carried out by a professional agency.
Media Coverage between 1998 and 2000. • More than 750 articles in the print press from 1997 to February 2000. • More than 480 minutes of television coverage during the same period. • More than 400 000 hits on the internet site www.antarctica.org for the opening of the site during the Antarctic Crossing in 97-98 and more than 1 000 000 over the last two years. Actual average number of hits is 150 000 per month. • Regular participation in radio and television shows with news subjects on the environment, sportive and cultural events, etc. • More than 50 articles in international magazines with the International Press agency, Photo News-Gamma (Bruxelles-Paris)
• Continuously updated presence on the multilingual internet sites www.circles.cc and www.antarctica.org. Diffusion of information on the ensemble of current projects as well as the news with regard to events and scientific research, Arctic and Antarctic. • More than 300 000 visitors to the Museum Exhibition, “The last continent” built up around the expedition and the commemoration of the over-wintering of the “Belgica” on the Antarctic coast in 1897-98, held at the Musée de la Cinquantenaire, Brussels, organised by Euroculture. • First prize awarded: “Lauréat des Bornes IGN de l’Aventure 1998”European category, Paris. • More than 500 speeches given at various locations and for the most diverse public.
• Film: format TV (52 minutes) entitled “antarctica.org”. Gained large circulation on tv channels all over the world. The book “In the teeth of the wind” won the first prize at the Festival International du film d’aventure de Dijon, France.
Budget in Euro of the Bering Strait Odyssey 2005 Reconnaissance trip and equipment testing to Nome, Alaska: Airline tickets: 22,250 Hotel stay: 7,500 Cargo: 3,500 Development of equipment: Specially adapted tent with flotation: Development of prototype sledges: New type of survival dry-suits:
4,200 19,550 4,125
Purchase of equipment: Camping gear: Specially adapted food: Communication gear: Photo & Video: Balloon:
3,750 5,125 6,250 18,750 40,000
Insurance:
10,500
Plane tickets to Nome: Lodging Nome: Cargo: Management and administration: Russian logistical support: Standby of helicopter for rescue and supplies: Support Balloon Crew:
28,750 8,750 3,800 16,750 21,500 56,250 8,750
Costs associated with running the headquarters in Brussels including website support and daily communications: Management of contacts with press agencies: Miscellaneous:
6,250 3,800 12,500
Total:
312,600 â‚Ź
The organisation of press conferences, post-production of expedition film footage and additional promotional activities related to the expedition will gladly be organised by the expedition crew, but fees are not calculated into this budget.
For cooperative suggestions and for further information please contact:
C I R C L E S
Dixie & Julie Dansercoer e-mail: circles@pandora.be + 32 (0)2 688 37 62 www.circles.cc Design: www.ijsbreker.be. Printed on Munken Print Extra 1.8 - www.arcticpaper.com.