The Quest for the Farthest South by Ship

Adventure Associates newest icebreaker expedition to deepest Antarctica will attempt to better the 90-year-old record held by the famous Norwegian, Fridtjof Nansen aboard Fram.

The year 1911 was the apex of Antarctic exploration. The famous Norwegian explorer, Roald Amundsen, pipped Scott to the South Pole and the ‘heroic’ Englishman and his crew perished on their return.

When Amundsen’s supply ship, the Fram, captained by Nansen, moored in the Bay of Whales on 14 January 1911, she immediately set a new record for furthest south by any ship. Numerous attempts and claims were made since then, but Fram’s record stands undisputed. Almost 90 years to the day, Kapitan Khlebnikov made an attempt in unusually favourable ice conditions, but fell tantalisingly short.

In early February 2006, Kapitan Khlebnikov will again attempt to better this enduring feat at the Bay of Whales during her expedition cruise, “The Great Antarctic Explorers”. Apart from a rare opportunity to be part of history, passengers will also visit the fabled Ross Sea region, the sub-Antarctic Islands, Cape Royds and Cape Adare as well as McMurdo Sound and the newly remodelled Drygalski Ice Tongue – thanks to its collision with the world’s largest iceberg – B15a.

Current Records:
Fram – 14 Jan to 15 Feb 1911 - 78°41'S
Kapitan Khlebnikov – 11 Jan 2001 - 78°37'S

Tour Details:
The Great Antarctic Explorers
Search for the Far South
Lyttelton, New Zealand to Hobart, Tasmania
21 January to 14 February 2006 - 25 Days

Journey from Lyttelton, New Zealand via the New Zealand sub-Antarctic islands to the Ross Sea. Return via Macquarie Island to Hobart, Tasmania. Prices start from just US$13,900 per person triple share.

For comprehensive tour information, please contact Adventure Associates on 1800 222 141 or visit www.adventureassociates.com/antarctica/ross/