Category Archives: voyage to Antarctica

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Antarctic Outrage; Antarctic Lesson

I will never forget my first visit to Petermann Island in Antarctica. The sky was overcast. The Antarctic summer was winding down. The snow bloomed red and the Adelie Penguins were moulting. I did not see the travel-brochure Antarctica that day. I saw Eden.

Feeling puny in the grand scheme, I pondered my relationship with the natural world. I reflected on the Bible’s call to stewardship.

Genesis 1:26. Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”

Blasphemy it may be, but that verse set us on the wrong path. Because humankind interpreted it to mean we were superior and had the right to interfere with the natural order. We forgot that humility is essential when given the responsibility to care for anything.

So when I read an article this morning about tourists in Antarctica attempting to sow seeds, inspired by a Bible verse, I was outraged. Outraged at the Tour Operator who failed to educate its travelers before they landed ashore. Outraged at the so-called Christians who failed to recognize Eden. Ignorance boards every tourist vessel, and the consequences of ignorance put Antarctica at risk.

Ezekiel 34:17-18. As for you, my flock… Is it not enough for you to feed on good pasture? Must you also trample the rest of your pasture with your feet? Is it not enough for you to drink clear water? Must you also muddy the rest with your feet?

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Edward Wilson (1872-1912

Dr. Wilson was a man of science and art. His friendship with Robert Falcon Scott would result in a richer understanding of Antarctica’s wildlife, weather and wilderness.

On his first expedition to the south polar region he served as the second surgeon, artist and zoologist.  On the ill-fated trudge to the South Pole, he acted as head of scientific staff. He was 2nd in command to Scott.

Wilson, so I have read, was in poor health and should never have joined that final expedition, but did so out of loyalty to Scott who pressed him. He died of starvation on the return journey from the Pole. The world lost a great man of science, a fine artist and loyal friend.

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The Antarctic Book of Cooking and Cleaning

An experienced polar leader told me that food can make or break an expedition. I can attest to that fact. My polar memories are larded with food experiences like a cup of mulled wine on the bow of a vessel in the Gerlache Strait, or a barbecue on the ice at the North Pole.

So I should not have been surprised to find mulled wine and bison and Saskatoon berry pemmican being served at the public launch of The Antarctic Book of Cooking and Cleaning. The cookbook won’t be in print until late 2012. You can preorder a copy online at the official website.

The Antarctic Book of Cooking and Cleaning is a food and cultural history book that weaves journal excerpts, recipes and images from a modern day environmental expedition with those of early explorers to the bottom of the world.

Cooking in the title refers to the recipes you’ll find in the book. Cleaning refers to the purpose of the 1995-1996 Antarctic expedition in which the authors, foodie Wendy Trusler and environmental activist Carol Devine, took part.

The Russian-Canadian clean-up project on King George Island off the Antarctic Peninsula was manned by volunteers. According to Devine, they “picked up hundreds of old nails by hand,” as well as collected garbage and moved fuel pipes.

Trusler’s job was to cook for the Americans, Canadians and South Africans who came for short stays and long days of hard work at Bellingshausen Station. The Russian Antarctic Expedition was the first to accept Devine’s offer of assistance.

To write the cookbook, the authors relived their adventure through the documents they had saved – letters, journals and provision lists. Food is the theme that ties their very personal experience to the history of the southern continent’s exploration and discovery.

Still in production, the full-colour book will be 144 pages in length, with photography by Sandy Nicholson, and archival black and white photographs from the historic age of Antarctic exploration.

The sampling menu served at tonight’s event, coinciding with the 100th anniversary of Roald Amundsen’s triumphant arrival at the South Pole, included Rosemary Maple Borscht served with Honey Oatmeal Braids and Cook’s Bread. Delicious!

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3 days and counting to the South Pole centennial

roald amundsen monument

Image by sandwichgirl via Flickr

December 14, 1911 was an extraordinary day in south polar history. Roald Amundsen became the first human being to stand at the bottom of the world, 90S. What will you be doing December 14, 2011 on the 100th anniversary of the accomplishment?

Amundsen first visited Antarctica between 1897 and 1899. He was first mate on the Belgica Expedition led by Adrien de Gerlache, the man after whom the Gerlache Strait was named. The expedition’s doctor was Frederick Cook, who eventually claimed to be the first man to reach the North Pole.

Together the two, who eventually became rivals, commanded the expedition when Gerlache and the Captain fell ill. During that expedition, Amundsen learned how not to prepare an expedition for the harsh environment south of 60.

Amundsen had been at sea since he turned 15. The Belgica Expedition, he hoped, would enable him to gain his Master’s license. Qualifying as a ship’s captain, he believed, would reduce conflicts of leadership with the ship’s captain when he led his polar expedition. Amundsen’s polar ambitions were well formed even then.

The American Antiques Roadshow evaluated some Northwest Passage Amundsen memorabilia. Watch the video.