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Angela Hawse
IFMGA / UIAGM Mountain Guide |
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2014 Antarctic Peninsular Cruise
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Adventure Skiing and Cruise
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*** November 5 17, 2014 ***
This Trip Will Sell Out
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Sir Ernest Shackleton posted this ad circa 1907 for his South Pole Expedition to Antarctica:
"Men wanted for hazardous journey. Low wages, bitter cold, long hours of complete darkness. Safe return doubtful. Honour and recognition in event of success."
An ad for this trip would look more like this:
Adventurers wanted for exciting journey. Worth the price. Exquisite accommodations and entertainment aboard the Clipper Adventurer. Long daylight hours exploring the Antarctic Penisular on skis. Good times assured.
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Join me on this incredible once in a lifetime journey with Doug Stoup and Ice Axe Expeditions!
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There are 3 levels of activity available on the trip. The first level will include zodiac cruises, lectures by historians, scientists, ornithologists and marine biologists, visits to science stations, and light hiking at any landings we make on the Antarctic Peninsula and penguin rookeries.
The second level of activity will include all the above plus the option of trekking. All trekking will be guided. Clients will either be in their boots, snowshoes or crampons. The treks will be anywhere from a half hour to 3 hours. This is a more active option than the first level of activity, but not all treks will be strenuous. Some treks will be strenuous and this will be announced before the trek. Clients may choose to participate in trekking activities some days and more casual cruising another.
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The third level will involve ski mountaineering in which guests will need to have backcountry and safety gear. A complete equipment list will be provided when you sign up. Most guests will choose objectives that will take 2-3 hours and return for lunch. Some of the more ambitious teams may stay out all day. At any time, a client may choose not to ski, but rather trek or take part in the other activities offered on the ship. Each day is catered specifically to my groups desires and the snow and ski conditions of course.
All will have the opportunity to meet your team in Ushuaia on the first day of the trip. Weather permitting, groups will head up to the local glacier to make sure everyone has their gear and safety equipment sorted and that they are in the appropriate skill level group. There will be a 4-1 client to guide ratio with some teams a bit larger but with a qualified tail guide.
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Once we reach the peninsula, at each location, there will be ski objectives for all levels; something for those with little or no backcountry experience to objectives that will require crevasse rescue gear and experience. Aboard the ship, clients will be placed into groups and these groups will be guided at each location. It is our goal to allow each team to reach their objectives, whether easy or extreme and in most places, you will not be able to visually see the other teams in the area. There are 10 zodiacs with drivers. All guides will have radios and will be able to communicate with the ship for pick-ups. Teams will have the option staying out all day or returning to the ship for sit-down meals. There is about 19 hours of daylight, so there is a long window of opportunity for teams to go out.
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Individuals are placed in groups based on experience or preference in being with members. We had a few teams last year that had many years of resort ski experience but not many years of backcountry experience the teams were still able to access great terrain. You will need to provide your own AT equipment.
The conditions vary from year to year. Weve seen a couple feet of fresh powder and weve also had years with very hard packed snow. It is a maritime climate, not too unlike Alaska, so you see a lot of variability. Its a once-in-a-lifetime experience to ski Antarctica and in the many years that Doug Stoup has lead groups to the area, he has never had anyone leave without being struck by the magnitude and unique nature of the experience.
Most ski objectives can be accessed without glacier travel or crampons, almost direct from the zodiac landing. The peaks range from 500 ft to 3000 ft straight out of the water, although there are peaks that do require significant crevasse travel.
At night, there will be slide shows, lectures or entertainment with entertaining characters!
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There will be daily visits to penguin rookeries, science stations, and whale watching for those not trekking or skiing or should you choose not to ski or trek for a day. We will have an onboard naturalist, marine biologist, historian and ornithologist to answer all your questions and teach you about the history and landscape of this amazing place. There are as many activities for those not skiing as for those skiing, so this is truly a trip for everyone.
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*PRICING*
Pricing is for berths aboard the CLIPPER ADVENTURER*
Lower Deck Twin: $8,990 per guest
Main Deck Twin (porthole): $9,690 per guest
Main Deck Twin (window): $9,890 per guest
Main Deck Single: $14,435 per guest
Upper Deck Superior: $11,490 per guest
Upper Deck Deluxe: $12,690 per guest
Captain's Deck Deluxe: $12,690 per guest
Suite: $13,690 per guest
Captain's Suite:$15,690 per guest
Photos of the accommodations and ship at :
http://www.iceaxe.tv/cruises/accomodations/
*airfare not included*
*all pricing per person*
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Cruise Cost includes:
1 night pre-expedition shared hotel accommodation in Ushuaia, Argentina. This room includes a continental breakfast.
Group dinner in Ushuaia.
Group transfers from the hotel to the ship on embarkation and from the ship to the airport on disembarkation and all miscellaneous service taxes and port charges.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner on board the Clipper Adventurer.
Shore landings and Zodiac excursions as permitted by weather and local conditions by onboard historian, ornithologist and marine biologists.
Ski guide services.
Presentations by our Expedition Team and guest speakers.
Expedition certificate.
CD chronicle of the voyage.
Comprehensive pre-departure information package.
Use of a pair of rubber expedition boots on loan for shore landings. These will be returned at the end of the voyage.
Not Included:
Airfares to or from your home city, whether on scheduled or charter flights.
Passport and visa expenses.
Any government arrival and departure airport taxes.
Ski equipment.
Any meals ashore with the exception of breakfast at the host hotel and the welcome dinner on the evening prior to departure.
Baggage, cancellation and travel insurance (emergency medical and evacuation insurance is mandatory. Ice Axe can help you to arrange this insurance if you need assistance). We STRONGLY encourage cancellation insurance.
Excess baggage charges.
Laundry, bar, beverage and other personal charges onboard the ship or at the hotel.
Telecommunications and internet charges
Customary gratuity at the end of the voyage for stewards, guides, and other service personnel.
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How do I reserve my trip?
Contact me at alpinist007@mac.com or call 970-318-9000 and I will help you book your trip with Ice Axe Expeditions as my guest.
You may place your deposit via check, wire transfer, money order or with a Visa or MasterCard credit card. A 50% deposit is required upon booking to reserve your place. The final balance is payable 95 days prior to your departure date. A 5% service charge applies for credit card processing.
Berths will be sold to those who complete their registration materials and return them as first come, first served.
Photos and more information can be found on Ice Axe's website:
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Photo Credits: Lee Dube, Keoki Flagg, Elsa Corrigan
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