Mission The Wake of Worsley Expedition 2012 is the first all women's team to traverse South Georgia and is inspired by the courageous example of New Zealander Frank Worsley. We plan to sail from the Falkland Islands to South Georgia and will retrace Worsley's steps over the island (The Shackleton Traverse), including an ascent of Mt Worsley, conditions permitting. We intend to go in Oct (2012) as conditions at that time of year will be good for skiing across which we see as a much more appealing and safer option than trekking around hundreds of open crevasses. The 3 men who originally crossed the island took 36 hours as they simply had to keep going or die - we will plan for 3 days, but either add time for Mt Worsley or take another opportunity while at South Georgia (we plan to allow 2 weeks plus 2 weeks for the return sailing trip). Frank Worsley was born in Akaroa and is an under recognised Kiwi hero. He was chosen by Sir Ernest Shackleton as the Captain of the Endurance for the 1914 -16 Antarctic Expedition. The aim was to cross the Antarctic continent, but the ship became frozen in ice and was eventually crushed. All 28 men from the expedition floated on ice until they put to sea in three lifeboats and guided by Worsley’s navigational skills reached Elephant Island off the Antarctic Peninsula. His incredible skills as a navigator and sailor enabled six men to then sail from Elephant Island across 800 miles of the treacherous southern ocean. This was in an open life boat, the James Caird, where they encountered 50 foot (15m) waves and storms, with Worsley using only a sextant for guidance. They eventually reached their intended destination of South Georgia. Worsley, Shackleton and seaman Tom Crean then crossed the unmapped mountainous island on foot to reach a whaling station and were able to launch a rescue of the remaining men. Without Worsley, all 28 men would have perished! Setting out on this journey demonstrated courage, strength of spirit and commitment beyond belief. Worsley’s astounding feats of navigation make him a true Kiwi hero to be respected and remembered.  |
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