It’s taken five long years but, finally, two massive icebergs that have been blocking ship access to historic Mawson’s Huts in remote Commonwealth Bay, Antarctica, have broken up and shifted, enabling Chimu Adventures to run the first commercial expedition to the historic site since 2011.
The 26-day journey aboard the Akademik Shokalskiy, carrying 54 passengers, will also raise money for Mawson’s Huts Foundation, which has been maintaining the basic timber structures since 1997 at a total cost of more than $8 million.
The Akademik Shokalskiy leaves Constitution Dock Hobart at 4pm this Saturday, January 9.
That’s 104 years to the day after Douglas Mawson, leader of the Australasian Antarctic Expedition, stepped ashore in 1912 on “a charming ice-quay” – which he named Cape Denison – to establish a “station for scientific investigations”.
It was the beginning of a legend that’s grown over time with Mawson’s expedition one of Australia’s greatest stories of adventure, resilience, desperation and survival. Harsh doesn’t begin to describe their experience in the coldest and windiest spot on earth.
The only remaining evidence of Mawson and his men’s occupation are two connected timber buildings (Mawson’s Huts) that passengers aboard the Akademik Shokalskiy will have the unique opportunity – subject to weather and ice conditions – to enter and explore.
“It’s so exciting to be going back after such a long time,” said Chimu co-founder Chad Carey, who will be joining the trip.
“As recently as last February, experts were saying the icebergs could stay jammed in the bay for a decade or more but fortunately those predictions have proved incorrect and expedition ships are now able to enter Commonwealth Bay.
“We’ve had a lot of interest in the trip and have a really interesting group of people on board united by their love of Antarctica and this history surrounding Mawson’s Huts.”
Mr Carey says Chimu believes strongly in the Mawson’s Huts Foundation, providing it with office space and facilities while donating more than more than $100,000 to the cause over the years.
Mawson’s Huts Foundation Chairman David Jensen added: “Mawson’s Huts are the birthplace of Australia’s Antarctic heritage and Chimu’s support for the Foundation is critical for conservation work to continue.”
SOURCE: Chimu Adventures