Antarctica Unexplored Expedition 2018 2019

A unique trip which has revolutionized the world of polar science by reaching the heart of Antarctica with an Aeolian vehicle, totally environment sustainable and economically efficient, to conduct a scientific campaign. A project which has been valued positively by some of the great international polar scientists to date (Dr. Peter Clarkson, Dr. Jason Box, Dr. Paul A Mayewski, Dr. John Higgins, Dr. Jerónimo López, Dr. Antonio Quesada…) The expedition members have been on ice for 11 weeks, in total autonomy, through one of the most unknown and inhospitable areas of Antarctica.

This campaign has been possible thanks to the sponsorship of the Prince Albert II Foundation of Monaco, and the European Space Agency (ESA), in collaboration with GMV Company. Participating projects from the Higher Council for Scientific Research (CSIC), INTA-CSIC, University of Maine, Climate Change Institute (USA) and various universities. On the other hand, a crowdfunding campaign has been carried out in which 340 people have participated individually or on behalf of institutions.

Antarctica Unexplored Dome Fuji 2018/19 has been directed by the designer and promoter of the WindSled, polar explorer Ramón Larramendi, who has organized and led, together with this one, a total of 10 expeditions to the Arctic and Antarctic since year 2000 with this Aeolian vehicle.

He has been accompanied by three expeditionary with extensive polar experience: Ignacio Oficialdegui (expert engineer in renewable energies), Hilo Moreno (guide and assistant at the Spanish Antarctic base Juan Carlos I) and Manuel Olivera (expert industrial engineer). The four expedition members are knowledgeable handlers of the WindSled and have also received training to perform the scientific tasks entrusted to them on this campaign.

Antarctica Unexplored Dome Fuji 2018/19 covered a total of 2,538 km (1,577 mi) in 52 days along a triangular route that has not been previously carried out by any international expedition without motorized means and external assistance. They departed from the vicinity of the Russian Antarctic base Novolazárevskaya towards the interior of the continent, towards Dome Fuji, located at 3,810m (12,500ft) of altitude. A location where a Japanese base is situated and which is the second highest point in the interior of Antarctica. There, one of the lowest temperatures recorded on the planet (93.2°C/ 135.76°F below zero, in 2010) has been registered.

Although the campaign has been carried out in the summer, the equipment withstood temperatures of 50°C (122°F) below zero. They attained the top of Dome F from the North American scientific base Plateau Station (Queen Maud Land), abandoned since 1969, hence returning from that point to Novolazárevskaya Base.

This is the third time WindSled visits Antarctica (earlier in 2005 and 2012), but on this occasion with an improved vehicle, a 100% scientific objective and a challenging exploration route given the altitude reached solely driven by wind energy. This will demonstrate, after almost 20,000 kilometers already covered in polar territories, that the polar eco-vehicle is an efficient alternative, the most sustainable to date (zero emissions) and effective for global polar research even in the most adverse conditions.