PolarExplorers Announces Arrival of Expedition Team at South Pole

Jan. 13, 2013 - PRLog -- Contact Information:
Dana Paskiewicz (719.505.4697)
Rick Sweitzer (847.828.8388)
Dana@nwpassage.com; rick@nwpassage.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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PolarExplorers Announces Arrival of Expedition Team at South Pole

PolarExplorers announces that an international expedition team of 14 will arrive at the geographic South Pole today, January 13, 2013, at 4:30 pm, CST. The team consisted of 14 members, including a heart transplant, Dale Shippam, the chief of Canadian organ transplantation, Dr. Heather Ross, as well as Dr. Michael White, the chief of organ transplantation in Montreal, and Dr. Diego Delgado. Led by Keith Heger, Brien Sheedy, with 18-year-old Taylor Sweitzer assisting, the team reported a safe, successful, and unforgettable expedition.

From their departure point of Punta Arenas, Chile, the group flew on a charter
flight to the Union Glacier basecamp located in Antarctica. From there they flew to 89
degree south latitude, where they skied south towards the South Pole, a distance of
about 111 kilometers!

This expedition, designed for serious amateur adventurers by PolarExplorers, a Wilmette, IL,
USA-based adventure travel company, provides adventurers with a polar expedition that
encounters several of the challenges of historic expeditions of the past. Traveling by ski up to 10
hours each day, the expedition members skied across the Antarctic plateau and encountered
temperatures that were as cold as -40°F, setting up camp each night on the unmarked ice.

Eight of the team members will continue their adventure by attempting the summit of the highest mountain in Antarctica, Mt. Vinson, the coldest and most remote of all of the Earth’s “seven summits”. There they will face harsh and demanding conditions, such as high winds and extreme temperatures. Everything about this climb is remarkable; from the extremely low temperatures that can occur at any time to the incredible views of Mt. Gardiner, Mt. Shinn, and the Antarctic landscape from the summit. The team plans to ski off the summit and return to Punta Arenas, Chile.

Polar Explorers creates five-star adventure for the intrepid traveler with an emphasis on safety, environmental and social stewardship, first-class guest services, and industry-leading training opportunities. Polar Explorers provides award-winning ski trekking, mountaineering, and other adventures to the Arctic, Antarctic, and Greenland.

For more information on this expedition, or to schedule an interview with a team member, please contact Dana Paskiewicz at dana@nwpassage.com or 847.256.4409 (office), 719.505.4697 (mobile) or Rick Sweitzer at rick@nwpassage.com or 847.256.4409 (office), 847.828.8388 (mobile).

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