Show Notes
The team make their landfall at Cape Adare, echoing the heroic era explorers who landed here and built the first ever dwelling in Antarctica. Here they make a confronting visit to the world’s largest Adélie penguin colony, and amongst it, the hut where the first group of explorers survived an Antarctic winter in 1899 despite tragedy, hardship and conflict. The team encounter incredible wildlife on sub-Antarctic Macquarie Island, and see their first iceberg on the voyage South to Antarctica.
More from 77 Degrees South
As they turn North and head for home, they reflect on the spirit of place within the sites they have visited, how this experience has changed them, and what’s next on their journey as heritage kaitiaki (guardians). To help figure this out, they speak to James Blake, who followed Shackleton’s route across South Georgia on the first Inspiring Explorers Expedition™ 10 years ago, and went on to document finding the wreck of the Endurance. The team consider the impact of climate change on the...
The team step into Terra Nova hut at Cape Evans and it looks and feels like Scott and his men have just stepped out, despite 112 years passing. Thanks to the work of the Antarctic Heritage Trust, Scott’s legacy has been saved and work continues to safeguard it so this new generation can see how early explorers furthered science and tested the limits of human endurance in pursuit of the unknown. Learn about life on the ship. The team spot whales, take a polar plunge into frozen Antarctic water...
In Shackleton’s hut at Cape Royds windows illuminate the interior with a soft glow, and the stove sits in the centre of the room, as if ready to boil the kettle. As the team explore, they experience a sense of goodwill and protection. Shackleton’s final act of nailing the key to the door as he left with an invitation welcoming those in need evokes a feeling of manaakitanga (hospitality, kindness, generosity, support). The team explain the biosecurity requirements they undertake to protect Ant...
When thick sea ice prevents the team from reaching Scott’s Discovery hut at 77 degrees South, it looks as though they will be unable to achieve their mission to return a historic book to its home on the Ice. They visit a vast penguin colony at Cape Bird while waiting to see if nature will clear a path, but time is running out. Will they make it? Find out more about how Scott’s first Antarctic expedition and Shackleton’s Ross Sea Party used Discovery hut and how the Antarctic Heritage Trust ap...
Join the team as they meet each other for the first time and learn about the important task entrusted to them, conserving and returning a historic artefact to Antarctica. Come inside the conservation laboratory as they prepare a historic copy of The Count of Monte-Cristo for the long journey south to where it belongs. Find out what these rangatahi (young people) are nervous about as they embark on a month-long journey to one of the most remote places on the planet, and more about the Trust un...