Making up for lost time
Published on 18.12.2007 - Interchange Shakleton South Pole Expedition 2007
They spent the first week trying to avoid crevasses. Week two, they are fighting against bad weather.
Let us remind you that this expedition had opted to depart from the coastline of the Weddell Sea and follow the route to the South Pole that Ernest Shackleton had planned to take on his 1915 expedition, which was due to cross the continent. Unfortunately, the dramatic wrecking of Shackleton's ship Endurance put paid to that.
Like the other expeditions, Doug Stoup's adventure had to start by 'hauling' itself up to the polar plateau. During week one, they were held back by the unexpected number of crevasses making gashes through the glaciers. But they have been making better progress since 13th December. After having covered just 75 kilometres during the first eight days, they progressed 127 kilometres the following week.
Richard Dunwoody, James Fox and Doug Stoup (all of whom are in great shape) have now made up for lost time and are heading at full speed towards the South Pole, covering more than twenty or so kilometres per day.
