Antarctic Convergence Zone

In a voyage from New Zealand via Cape Horn totalling 15,000km, this team (which included representatives from Canada, NZ, Switzerland and the US, in addition to the UK) sailed to the Antarctic Peninsula on the leader's 15-metre ketch 'Gambo' to undertake a programme of mountain­eering exploration and scientific research. Despite a particularly bad pack-ice year and exceptionally unstable weather, they achieved six first and a number of notable other ascents down the Peninsula and off-shore islands, includ­ing Mt Britannia, Stolze Peak, Laussedat Heights, Mt Luigi and two of the Seven Sisters of Fief on Wieneke Island. They also completed a two-week ski traverse onto the ice cap via The Downfall, but were forced to retreat from a first ascent of Mt Walker, 2,200m, due to sustained poor weather and over-commitment. The expedition made 20 dives down to 30 metres at numerous sites, including the wreck of a whaling supply-ship at Enterprise Island. They also carried out a comprehensive environmental science pro­gramme on King Georgia Island, acquiring numerous radar profiles of the ice cap, along with snow and sub-glacial water sampling, to assess the region's long-term response to climate change before heading back to Cape Horn as winter set in.