Antarctic Ski Cruise - November 2018

Antarctic Ski Cruise
November 2nd – 14th 2018

Ski mountaineering on the Antarctic Peninsula
( I'm going back for a 5th time! Join us!)
Rich Meyer has teamed up with Ice Axe Expeditions to bring you the opportunity of a lifetime: a chance to climb and ski the incredible frozen and remote mountains of the Antarctic Peninsula. This is a spectacular adventure to one of Mother Earth’s last real frontiers -- a place that few people on the planet have ever seen with their own eyes, much less climbed, skied, and toured.

The journey begins in Ushuaia, Argentina on the expedition ship "Clipper Adventurer". We'll sail southward into open water, past historic Cape Horn, across the incredible Drake Passage, toward the Antarctic Peninsula. This is the home of some of the richest wildlife habitat in the world: killer whales, black-browed albatross, snow petrels, penguins, and leopard seals will all be hard to miss among the cathedrals of sparkling icebergs and glaciers at the extreme Southern tip of the world.

And when you've picked your jaw up off the ship's deck from the spectacular scenery, you might remember we're there to climb and ski those incredible destinations. And then it begins for real.

Daily shore landings by Zodiac give us the access we need to climb the local mountains, ski down to the waters' edge--and get us up close and personal with local wildlife, too. Ski tours can be anything you want, from hard-core all day affairs to mellow afternoon excursions.

We'll break into small groups, and we'll tour in different zones to provide plenty of ski options each day. Whether visiting penguin rookeries, photographing icebergs, or just plain getting after it on skis, you'll realize what an incredible gift it is to find yourself in this truly amazing, unique and impossibly remote setting.

Retreating each evening to the comfort and safety of the Clipper Adventurer, we'll recount the day’s adventure with new friends and good food.

You'll access the peaks each day on skis, skins, alpine touring gear, and with avalanche safety equipment. We may even gear up with crampons, ice axes, and glacier travel attire depending on our objectives.

And while ski touring mastery isn't necessary for this trip, strong skiing skills and good physical fitness will be key to a truly enjoyable experience in the mountains, climbing and skiing some of the worlds most amazing and remote terrain. Ultimately the conditions in the mountains will decide what we climb and ski, but training for this adventure will be well worth the effort.

Contact Rich at:
rich@richmeyeralpineguide.com
for more details!

Photo credit:
1- Rando Steve
2- Rando Steve
3- Map
4- Rando Steve
5- Andrew Maclean
6- Keoki Flagg
7- Keoki Flagg

Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive in Ushuaia, Argentina. Overnight in Ushuaia.
Day 2 Board the Clipper Adventurer and set sail down the Beagle Channel.
Day 3-4 Cross the Drake Passage. Sperm, fin, and humpback whales, along with skies of seabirds will accompany our journey. Arrive at Deception Islands volcanic crater on the afternoon of Day 4 for a hike.
Day 5 Ski and trekking objectives at Neko Harbour. Zodiac cruises, penguin rookeries, hiking.
Day 6 Ski and trekking objectives at Anvers and Wenke Islands. Port Lockroy scientific base and museum. Visit gentoo and adelie penguin habitat.
Day 7 Ronge/Island/Mt. Britannia. Visit penguin rookery at Georges Point.
Day 8 Ski and trekking objectives in Paradise Bay. Zodiac excursions.Visit penguin rookery and Almirante Brown Station.
Day 9 Lemaire Channel/ Mt. Scott/ Mt. Demaria/Mt. Mill ski descents. Visit the Ukrainian Vernadsky scientific station. Killer whale and leopard seal sightings.
Day 10 New ski descents and nature cruises of Charlotte Bay; begin journey north in the evening.
Day 11-12 Sail Drake Passage; pass the dramatic cliffs of Cape Horn.
Day 13 Disembark the Clipper Adventurer in Ushuaia, Argentina.

Flexibility is necessary for all Antarctic travel. This program is subject to change throughout the journey depending on ice, weather and local conditions.

Cruise Cost varies depending on what class of cabin you choose.
But you can expect to pay between: $9,000 - $15,000

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.
*Presentations by our Expedition Team and guest speakers.
*Expedition certificate.
* Photographic DVD chronicling 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. Tourist entry fees may apply depending on your nationality.
*Any government arrival and departure airport taxes.
*Ski or trekking 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.).
*Excess baggage charges.
*Laundry, bar, beverage and other personal charges onboard the ship or at the hotel.
*Telecommunications charges or the customary gratuity at the end of the voyage for stewards, guides, and other service personnel.
*Tips for guides and hospitality staff.

Contact rich@richmeyeralpineguide.com for more details !
In partnership with Ice Axe Expeditions karyn@iceaxe.tv