Antarctic Stories

Mikolaj Golachowski, a biologist by training, lived and worked at Henryk Arctowski Polish Antarctic Station off-and-on over the course of several years, including taking on the role of base commander in his final season.

He shares stories of lessons learned about human nature, his self-rescue after falling down a crevasse while alone, and the unusual opportunities presented while living in one of the most remote places on earth.

HIGHLIGHTS

3:05 - How Miko's study of elephant seals led him to apply for a year-long contract in Antarctica, which ultimately led to living there on and off for multiple seasons

15:30 - Miko tells us of the challenges and growth opportunities in human relationships when you're living on a remote polar base in a cramped environment, and the realities of communication with the rest of the world

20:54 - We hear what it's like to over-winter in Antarctica with a skeleton crew manning the base

24:01 - In Antarctica, your life is simplified: "Your main challenge is: don't die today. Otherwise, it's easy."

39:07 - Miko shares random facts about living on an Antarctic base that the average person would never guess

LINKS

TED talk by Greta Thunberg - https://www.ted.com/talks/greta_thunberg_the_disarming_case_to_act_right_now_on_climate

Greta Thunberg addressing the UN - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFkQSGyeCWg

AntArctic Stories is brought to you by Polar Tracks Expeditions - your experts in small ship expedition cruises and unique adventures to the Arctic and Antarctica. We are polar guide owned and run, and we love sharing our insider knowledge to help you find your next polar adventure.

Find us on: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/polartracks Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/polartracksexpeditions Our website - http://polartracksexpeditions.com

Johanna Davidson is a Swedish adventurer and self-described 'cheerful ski bum' who has gone further than most humans in chasing her dreams of a life outdoors in extreme polar conditions, among them skiing alone across Antarctica to the South Pole and then kite-skiing back out to the coast. Listen as she recounts the planning, funding, and endurance challenges on her way to becoming an accidental world record holder for the fastest female to the South Pole, unsupported. She was also the first Swedish solo woman to complete this feat, the first Swede to go to the South Pole and then back again, and completed the fastest return trip to and from the South Pole ever made.

HIGHLIGHTS

5:27 - Johanna's persistence drumming up funding through crowdfunding, sponsorships, and bank loans 10:45 - The mental and emotional management skills and resilience Johanna developed during the expedition

18:14 - Effects on the body and endurance challenges while traversing a variety of terrains and elevations on the way to the South Pole

24:48 - Johanna recounts unexpected experiences and special moments while out alone in the polar environment

LINKS

Solo Sister (Johanna's website) - http://solosister.se/

Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions (ALE) - https://antarctic-logistics.com/

Johanna's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/solosisterinsta/

AntArctic Stories is brought to you by Polar Tracks Expeditions - your experts in small ship expedition cruises and unique adventures to the Arctic and Antarctica. We are polar guide owned and run, and we love sharing our insider knowledge to help you find your next polar adventure.

Find us on: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/polartracks Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/polartracksexpeditions Our website - http://polartracksexpeditions.com

Paul Hart, former Army and Royal Navy officer, takes us along on the recounting of his incredible journey across the Antarctic Peninsula by man-haul, a feat that had never been done before. Leading a team of eight, we learn how the original well-planned route had to be abandoned due to inaccessibility, leaving Paul and his team to cross this crevassed and inhospitable mountain range with very little data, relying on their wits and expertise to get them safely to the other side.

HIGHLIGHTS

4:21 - Paul takes us through the 2012 crossing of the Antarctic Peninsula on the 100-year anniversary of Robert Falcon Scott's crossing. Years of planning and physical preparation for crossing – starting in 2009 and culminating in a real-time crevasse crossing gone wrong. "The backup plan is we were the backup plan."

23:42 - Paul tells us of the sketchiest moments on the crossing expedition – including being avalanched in once-in-100-years storm conditions, the insights that hindsight provides, and being 100% all in

31:26 - We learn about the educational outreach program to connect with schools and colleges, allowing students to learn unique polar and navigational insights from the expedition team in the field

36:57 - Paul shares what it's like when you're truly on your own out in the wilderness with no support mechanism and being somewhere that no other human has laid eyes on, ever

38:43 - We hear about Paul's plans for future Antarctic adventures such as an expedition commemorating the 200-year anniversary of the sighting of Antarctica, offering polar maritime survival training programs as polar tourism increases, and his Education through Expedition programs for underprivileged youth in the polar environments.

LINKS

ETE:Leadership

Antarctica Ambassador

The Inari Project - Finland Expedition

AntArctic Stories is brought to you by Polar Tracks Expeditions - your experts in small ship expedition cruises and unique adventures to the Arctic and Antarctica. We are polar guide owned and run, and we love sharing our insider knowledge to help you find your next polar adventure.

Find us on: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/polartracks Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/polartracksexpeditions Our website - http://polartracksexpeditions.com