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| Expedition-Leader Tim Jarvis and mountaineer Barry Gray arrive at Stromness at 0945 AEDT |
The expedition was an exact copy of Ernest Shackleton's 1914 journey, a "double" of an 800 mile crossing of the Southern Ocean, and an overland crossing of South Geoergia Island in which the crew wore the same clothes and used the same equipment as the original crew.
Ernest Shackleton's original voyage is a story of survival, famous for the treachory of the conditions his crew faced, and the 21st century version faced the same threats from the uncertainty of the Antarctic weather. They battled eight metre swells, 50 knot winds, sleep deprivation, dehydration, being constantly wet and cold and having no room to move or stretch out while the 6 men were cramped aboard their 6.9 metre lifeboat, the Alexandra Shackleton. On arrival at South Georgia, three of the crew were diagnosed with ‘trench foot’, while others camped for five days in a cave waiting for a break in the weather to commence the climb.
On the 3 day crossing of South Georgia Island, expedition leader Tim Jervis and mountaineer Barry Gray fell into crevasses as deep as their armpits more than 20 times. These regular falls, and blizzards that literally blew some of the crew to the ground, led Jervis to think that reaching the destination might be impossible.
Most people would probably agree that it's a venture beyond most people's limits, but Jervis thinks everybody has it in them to achieve something great.
"There’s no doubt in my mind that everyone has a Shackleton double in them," he said, "and I hope we’ve inspired a few people to find theirs,"
The crew will now rest aboard the Australis before trekking around to Grytviken tomorrow, the site of Shackleton’s grave to raise a glass of Mackinlay’s whisky to "the Boss"
On the 3 day crossing of South Georgia Island, expedition leader Tim Jervis and mountaineer Barry Gray fell into crevasses as deep as their armpits more than 20 times. These regular falls, and blizzards that literally blew some of the crew to the ground, led Jervis to think that reaching the destination might be impossible.
Most people would probably agree that it's a venture beyond most people's limits, but Jervis thinks everybody has it in them to achieve something great.
"There’s no doubt in my mind that everyone has a Shackleton double in them," he said, "and I hope we’ve inspired a few people to find theirs,"
The crew will now rest aboard the Australis before trekking around to Grytviken tomorrow, the site of Shackleton’s grave to raise a glass of Mackinlay’s whisky to "the Boss"
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