Unexplored Antarctica 2018 – 2019
- Start date: 12-01-2018
- End date: 02-12-2019
- Start / end point: Novolázarevskaya Base
- Kms. total: 2,000 kms.
- Delivery days: 74 days.
- Challenges achieved: —
The Expedition on the map
Ramón Larramendi and his team are currently on the Antarctic continent in the development of the Unexplored Antarctic Expedition.
The Windsled into uncharted lands
The expedition ‘Unexplored Antarctica 2018-19’ will travel in a triangular route one of the most unknown territories on Earth and four Spanish expedition members with extensive polar experience will be part of it: Ramón Larramendi, Hilo Moreno, Ignacio Oficialdegui and Manuel Olivera. Larramendi is the creator of the vehicle and director of the expedition. The objective is twofold: to demonstrate that the Wind Sled overcomes the most adverse conditions (in an ascent never before carried out without motorized means of transport) and to carry out the route with cutting-edge projects at a scientific level, from Spanish and international institutions.
The expedition will leave the Russian base of Novolazárevskaya and will go up to the Fuji dome, at an altitude of 3,810 meters, where there is a Japanese base that is currently active. From there you will arrive at the North American scientific base Base Plateau (in the land of Queen Maud), abandoned since 1969.
The project gives the possibility of transporting more than two tons in a sled pulled by kites made up of its configuration of three modules:
- Locomotive module: this module acts as a locomotive and will have a store to alleviate the low temperatures, which sometimes exceed 50 degrees below zero. In its back part it has a space to be used as a workplace and refuge for pilots in case of bad weather.
- Load module: It is the module for the transport of scientific equipment and the one required by expedition members (food, devices, samples collected on the journey, etc.). In addition, they will have installed 10 to 12 square meters of photovoltaic panels for the production of energy that will be stored in six large and several small batteries.
- Livable module: the third module will serve as a home for the expedition members. It will consist of a large tent designed for the expedition that will facilitate the greenhouse effect and will resist Antarctic storms.
The Expedition in pictures
Related news
- Spaniards in Antarctica: 50 days collecting scientific samples (Telemadrid, 12/01/2018)
- The Spanish feat of the wind sled: journey to the ice ocean at the end of the world (ABC – 11/19/2018)
- The program ‘Unexplored Antarctica 2018-2019’ will travel 2,000 km with a wind sled (Aulamagna.com – 11/13/2018)
- Aboard the Wind Sled: 50 days in one of the coldest points on the planet (El PaÃs – 11/18/2018)