INSPIRE ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION MARCH 11 — 24 2009

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DAY 1 Ushuaia Wednesday 11 March 2009 You will fly into Ushuaias (the southernmost city in the world) international airport. This windy and desolate outpost is awe-inspiring in its starkness. You will be met at the airport by Robert Swan and his Team Leaders and taken to your hotel. This is the start of our Leader- ship on the Edge program. We will stay at the Del Glaciar, a ranch style hotel, situated high above the city of Ushuaia for the next 2 nights. The incredible view over the bay and of the glacier is the perfect start to our expe- dition. Depending on your arrival time the re- mainder of the day is yours to relax, unpack, and get ready to begin your expedition. One of our team leaders will check your equipment to ensure you have everything you need on your Antarctic journey. 2041 team leaders are always available to answer any questions.
DAY 2 Ushuaia Thursday 12 March 2009 Expect a busy day ahead. You will also have the opportunity to meet your fellow expedition members and be given a summary of what to expect over the next 2 days. We will break into teams later in the morning and spend the next 4 hours hiking up the Glaciar Martial. Back to the hotel for debriefing, and continue with Leadership on the Edge program in one of the hotels conference rooms until early evening. Robert will welcome the group and talk about the Leadership on the Edge pro- gram you have been selected to join over the next 12 days. Tonight we will host dinner. DAY 3 Depart for Antarctica Friday 13 March 2009 We start this morning with another meeting with Robert at the Glaciar hotel. The 2041 leaders and Robert will set team tasks for the day. We prepare for our departure today and at this time, you will be advised of the time and lo- cation to have all luggage ready for transfer to the ship. You will have a few hours after lunch to do any final shop- ping, make calls home etc., before we transfer from the hotel to our ship Ioffe. This Antarctic cruiser will be your sea- faring home for the next 12 days. As you step aboard, sur- rounded by Ushuaias soaring mountains, you will be aware in an exciting way of the fact that youre a long way from home. The team will attend the Onboard Antarctic Safety Brief- ing prior to the first dinner onboard. Its time to start our voyage toward Antarctica!
DAY 4-5 - The Drake Passage Saturday 14 Sunday 15 March 2009 Cape Horn, the most southerly point of the American continent, has stimulated the imagi- nation of mankind since Sir Francis Drake in- INSPIRE ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION MARCH 11 24 2009 Antarctic travel can be an exhilarating yet unpredictable venture. It is the highest, dri- est, and windiest place on earth. The following itinerary encompasses activities and places we may be able to visit during our expedition. Antarcticas often hostile envi- ronment does not conform to the whims of mankind and that we respect and accept. That said we can assure you that this expedition will be truly fulfilling regardless of the conditions we may face. So keep reading on and welcome aboard! advertently circumnavigated it in 1580. Some of us will approach this historic cross- ing with more than a little trepidation. De- spite its reputation, there are times when the Drake resembles a lake, the lazy southern ocean swelling and rolling under the keel of our good ship. At times we have encountered rough crossings with large waves. Undoubt- edly, the size of the waves and the force of the gale winds will take on gigantic propor- tions when related to folks back home. Sometimes misty and grey, other times calm and clear, crossing the legendary Drake Pas- sage is unforgettable a milestone in any adventurers personal travel history. A favorite pastime on board is to stand at the stern watching the many seabirds, in- cluding majestic albatrosses and giant pet- rels following our wake. They will rise and fall skillfully, using the air currents created by the ship to gain momentum. Feeling transformed, we approach Antarctica, recep- tive and open to the adventure ahead. As we cross the Drake Passage, there will be a selection of lectures and visual in- troductions about Antarctica (the timing of which is dependent on safety and weather conditions). We will also learn about the wildlife, geology, history and geography of the Antarctic Peninsula from our resident ex- pert. We will be given environmental guide- lines for approaching the wildlife and talk about the implications of the Antarctic Treaty. Antarctica is a photographers para- dise, for the professional or the amateur. There will be discussions about how to pro- tect your equipment from salt water and tips about taking great pictures. Nearing the tip of the Peninsula on the second day, excitement reaches fever pitch as everyone will be on the bridge watching for the first iceberg. The ocean takes on a whole new perspective once we are sur- rounded by the surreal presence of floating ice sculptures. The memory of your first ice- berg is likely to remain with you forever.
DAY 5 King George Island and the 2041 E-base Monday 16 March 2009 Weather permitting, we will first approach Antarctica near the South Shetland Islands, entering Bransfield Strait either at the east- ern end of King George Island or the western extremity of Livingston Island. We may pass by historic Smith Island which is the outer limit of the South Shetlands. From here we will arrive at the Rus- sian base of Bellingshausen. This is the loca- tion of our E-Base, the first education station in the Antarctic. We will learn from Robert about the challenges faced by him and his team in the design, construction, transporta- tion, assembly and living conditions of this building. Roberts team will discuss their use of solar and wind power telling us about some of the difficulties and fun aspects they experienced at the E-Base last year. They will detail the use of recycled, reclaimed and refurbished equipment in the construction of the building and the tribulations presented by the Antarctic conditions. There will be a hands on experience using the solar and wind technology stationed at the E-Base.
DAY 6 10 - Antarctic Peninsula Tuesday 17 - Saturday 21 March 2009 Over the following days, we will work closely with Robert and his Leadership on the Edge program. His leadership experience and story will inspire team members to become real leaders in their own lives. Parallel to this we will visit various locations along the Ant- arctic Peninsula. Depending on the ice and weather conditions, the western side of the Antarctic Peninsula is ours to explore. This is the advantage of having such experienced leaders who have made countless journeys to this area. They will use their expertise to design our voyage from day to day. In this way we can make best use of the weather and ice conditions. As we are so far south, we will experience approximately 18 - 20 hours of daylight; there is plenty of time for sleep when you return home! Once we arrive in the calmer waters of the Peninsula, we will make shore landings. To get ashore we will use inflatable rubber boats, called Zodiacs. We will be briefed on the merits of these sturdy crafts and their use during our Drake Passage crossing. We can cruise along spectacular ice cliffs in the Zodiacs, or follow whales that are feeding near the surface. Whatever the Antarctic seas have to offer, you will appreciate the distinct advantage of being on a small vessel, which gives everyone the opportunity to experience these very special close encounters with the wildlife. In some areas the mountains soar from the sea, while small islands provide ha- vens for penguins and seals. At this time of the austral summer, the waters are rich with krill and we are likely to see many whales, particularly humpbacks and minkes. There are many exciting places that we may visit if time and weather permit. A sample of these:
Hannah Point, Livingston Island A unique landing place on the Peninsula, its a tiny toe of land that is teeming with wild- life. Here we could find two species of pen- guins breeding, chinstraps and gentoo. Sometimes there are a few vagrant macaroni penguins nesting as well. It is not uncommon to find wallows of elephant seals that are 60 beasts strong. Gi- ant petrels nest along the ridgeline. The vegetation con- sists of mosses, li- chens and the only grass species that grow in Antarctica. All this is set in a stunning position, underneath long black scree slopes, at the foot of the mountains and gla- ciers of Livingston Island.
Half Moon Island Abundant in wildlife as well, Half Moon Island is tucked into a neat bay at the eastern end of Livingston Island. On a clear day the gla- ciers and mountains of Livingston Island dominate the scenery. There is a large chin- strap penguin rookery tucked in between ba- saltic turrets colored by yellow and orange lichens. Gulls nest on these turrets and often fur seals and elephant seals can be spotted sprawled out on the pebble beaches. At one extremity of the island there is a large colony of nesting blue-eyed shags. At the other, a small Argentine scientific station conducts re- search on the penguin colony and ecology of the surrounding waterways.
Deception Island Visiting Deception Island is like making a journey to the moon. We enter the volcanic crater on board the ship, through the narrow opening of Neptunes Bellows. Inside is an unworldly scene, virtually devoid of life. Gla- ciers flow down from the edge of the crater, littered by black volcanic ash. We could ex- plore the lifeless remains of a derelict whaling station and a vacant British base or climb to the rim of the crater. Steam rises from the shore indicating that the water is actually warm enough for a swim, for those who are daring to take the plunge! Outside the crater, if conditions allow, we will land at the enor- mous Chinstrap penguin rookery that was featured in David Attenboroughs Life in the Freezer series. Dorian Bay, Wienke Island Further along the Antarctic Peninsula we may drop anchor and go ashore to Wienke Island. Dorian Bay is a cove on the NW side of Wienke Island, located 0.5 mile E-NE of Da- moy Point, in the Palmer Archipelago. The point was discovered and named by Char- cots French Antarctic expedition (1903-05). An integral part of the Leadership on the Edge program is to test the skills we have learned over the past week in one of the worlds most hostile environments. Therefore Robert, along with his Team Leaders, will break us up into teams and take each on an overnight camping expedition. If the weather allows we will spend the night sleeping on the Antarctic ice. We can experience life as the early expeditions did at the turn of the 20 th century. Tents, sleeping bags, and all camping equipment shall be provided. We will spend 2 nights anchored in Dorian Bay.
DAY 11 - 12 - AT SEA Sunday 22 - Monday 23 March 2009 As we depart Antarctica and sail back to- wards Ushuaia, an albatross or two may join the avian escort of fulmars, petrels and other seabirds that cross our bow in a mesmeriz- ing, ballet-like display. There will be plenty of time to review the new team and leader- ship skills you have learned during the expe- dition. Discussing and debating with Robert, his team, and your new friends will ensure we perpetuate the inspirational journey we have just embarked upon. Cape Horn This legendary seafaring spot marks the point where the Atlantic and Pacific oceans meet. Standing on deck, marking our pas- sage through and marveling at this historic, infamous locale, the mind plays over what weve seen and where weve been. How comfortably and with what apparent ease we traveled to a place legendary for its hard- ships and danger. Perhaps you even think: How easy it would be to simply stay put in ones ordinary routine. How enlivening not to do so and to continue to live adventurously putting oneself in the right place to ex- perience exceptional moments. Robert Swan
DAY 13 - USHUAIA / DISEMBARK Tuesday 24 March 2009 We disembark in Ushuaia in the early morn- ing. A location that mere days ago seemed wild and remote is now, in contrast to the isolation of Antarctica, cozily familiar. We say our farewells all around and discuss some dates concerning our next communication. We will also review how to follow through on individual appointed tasks. The 2041 team will see you to the Ushuaia airport and work with you to make any required changes to your itinerary.
For more information, please
visit www.2041.com

To join the 2009 Expedition:
Email Marjan@2041.com or
Nicky@2041.com

To contact 2041:
Email Crystal@2041.com
Tel. +1.530.587.2041

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