While most of the country will be spending today recovering from yesterday’s indulgences, grazing on leftover turkey and nibbling mince pies, spare a thought for three adventurous Brits some 10,000 miles from home, braving the remotest landscape on earth: Antarctica.
Henry Worsley (47), Henry Adams (33) and Will Gow (35) have left their families far behind this Christmas in their pursuit to fulfil a lifelong dream of retracing the frozen footsteps of Sir Ernest Shackleton and his Nimrod team, whose assault on the South Pole in 1908 set world records.
The team has already spent 43 days in -35°C temperatures crossing the icy wasteland. Their route so far has seen them cross the vast Ross Ice Shelf and ascend the formidable Beardmore Glacier.
Relying on Shackleton’s personal compass for navigation, each man is hauling their own 300lb sled into 50mph freezing headwinds and relying on specially developed snowsuits for warmth and high energy rations for sustenance throughout their 10 hour days.
Currently the team remains on the Beardmore Glacier. And while turkey didn’t feature on yesterday’s menu, the men substituted some of their regular 6,000 calorie diet with a celebratory sausage and bacon breakfast – complete with novelty Christmas crackers.
Like Shackleton, they also celebrated making camp last night with a spoonful of crème de menthe and a cigar each.
Henry Worsley says: “Although we spoke briefly, I greatly missed watching the excitement of my children; Max (14) and Alicia (12) go though the whole process of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
“We celebrated Christmas Day on October 27th when we had presents, crackers, and a traditional Christmas supper. It was great and I had photos from that evening to look at.
“But being away is definitely worth it. We are on track to complete the expedition safely and honour the achievements of Ernest Shackleton’s Nimrod expedition which we are celebrating.”
The three explorers, all of whom are direct descendants of Shackleton’s 1908 Nimrod party, set off from Hut Point on 13th November.
Their expedition coincides with the centenary of Sir Ernest’s attempt to reach the South Pole. The historic group were just 97 miles from the Pole – the furthest anyone had ever ventured at the time – when they were forced to turn back in the face of almost certain death.
Worsley, a descendant of Frank Worsley (Shackleton’s skipper), Adams, a great-grandson of Jameson Boyd-Adams and Gow, who is related to Sir Ernest through marriage, are committed to finishing the 900 mile journey that their ancestors began and “Close the Pole” on behalf of the 1908 team.
It’s been an extraordinary Christmas for the men’s families, who have only had brief contact with their loved ones via occasional satellite link.
Henry Worsley is the Matrix Shackleton Centenary Expedition leader. His wife, Joanna, explains:
“Henry has been obsessed by Shackleton and his legacy since he was a child, so this expedition really has been a lifetime dream of his. I’m extremely proud of what the boys have achieved so far.
“Naturally I worry about Henry’s wellbeing, but they’re an experienced, committed group who wouldn’t take any unnecessary risk.
“The best Christmas gift will be Henry returning safely after reaching the Pole in January.”
On 9th January, the trio’s spirits will be boosted by the arrival of the remaining team members, who together will make the final 97-mile trek to the point that cruelly evaded Shackleton and his men.
The ’97 team’ is made up of David Cornell (38) another great-grandson of Jameson Boyd-Adams and Tim Fright (24), the great-great-nephew of Frank Wild and the only explorer to accompany Shackleton on all his missions.
The ’97 team’ will also include Andrew Ledger from Sheffield who won his place in the group as part of a public competition organised by Matrix Group, the expedition’s sponsors.
Henry Worsley is keen to point out that the Matrix Shackleton Centenary Expedition is driven by more than a simple desire to complete their ancestors’ unfinished business.
Worsley explains: “We’re using the venture to launch the £10m Shackleton Foundation, a charity designed to fund and support individuals who exemplify the spirit of Sir Ernest Shackleton: inspirational leaders wishing to ‘make a difference’, in particular to the less advantaged.”
The adventurers are keeping the outside world informed of their progress through journal entries posted via satellite onto their website, www.shackletoncentenary.org.
