New Exhibit at Scott Polar Research Institute
If you are passing through Cambridge, visit the new graphic exhibit by Sarah Airriess, depicting Apsley-Cherry’s 1911 “Worst Journey in the World”. In 1922 Apsley-Cherry published his memoirs about his and others harrowing trek to an Emperor Penguin colony to collect eggs in the middle of the Antarctic winter. As many know, this journey was a prelude to the demise of Scott, Wilson and others during the Terra Nova expedition.. Now 100 years later, this exhibit is a prelude to her new graphic book: The Worst Journey in the World, The Graphic Novel: Volume 1, Making our Easting Down: https://worstjourney.com
Pingualuit Crater
If by some chance you’re headed up north, perhaps towards Baffin or the Northwest Passage, consider a side trip to a geologic wonder: the Pingualuit Crater. The meteoric happening, about 1.4 million years ago, has left a roughly 3.5 km x 4 km deep lake, perfectly round, in the wilds of northern Quebec. Check out this April 2022 bbc article: bbc April 2022: Pingualuit Crater
Endurance is Found
One of the most important maritime shipwreck discoveries ever, and certainly of this century, Shackleton’s Endurance from his historic Trans-Antarctic expedition, has been located. Hats off to the Falklands Maritime Heritage Trust, the ship S.A. Agulhas II, its crew, and the SAAB submersible that discovered her at 3008 m, only about four miles from where she was last sited by Frank Worsley in 1915 before her tragic demise. And of course the 10 M USD from the anonymous donor to sponsor the expedition didn’t hurt. It is of course tragic that this discovery takes place while a war is being fought in Ukraine; unfortunately the last time the Endurance was last seen by the outside world was when she shipped south from Australia: December 1914, WWI. When will we every learn?
Greenland and Iceland in the New Arctic
This report, by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iceland is quite in depth about all things Greenland and Iceland. However, there is some great high level information about climate change, shipping routes, resource development, and political plays in the Arctic (Greenland in particular) that is worth reading. Check out sections 1.1-1.4, and the rest of the report if you have time.
John Rae in Depth
The John Rae Society is sponsoring six virtual talks via Zoom over the next two months. The first one, entitled Forgotten Hero-Now Remembered is scheduled for March 12, 2021. Read more and sign up on advance (required) on their events page.
The Big Freeze-The Artistic Side of the Poles and More
Check out the upcoming Scott Polar Research Institute’s on-line “The Big Freeze” Polar Art Festival, March 4th-14th. Support this great organization.
Arctic Indigenous-Smithsonian Anthropology
The Smithsonian magazine has published a nice introductory article on the circumpolar indigenous nations, noting their long art, archaeological. and ethnic heritages. These myriad cultures’ long histories, yes there are more than just Inuits, are now being studied by organizations such as the Smithsonian’s own Arctic Studies Center. Check it out at: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/blogs/national-museum-of-natural-history/2021/01/26/how-arctic-anthropologists-are-expanding-narratives-about-north/
Canadian cancellations in question?
As with many things, it’s not over until it’s over. Many forces are weighing in on the Canadian cancellation of cruises for ships carrying over 100 passengers through February 2022. Stay tuned, and read more at CruiseCritic.
Canadian Cruise Ship Ban
It all begins with an idea.
Due to Covid-19, the Canadian Government announced on February 4, 2021 that it would extend the cruise ship ban for vessels with over 100 passengers, effectively cancelling the 2021 Canadian Arctic and Alaska cruise season. A few of the smaller operators will be able to continue to run trips, some restricted to Canadian residents. The ban will continue through the end of February 2022.