Trans-Antarctic Expedition Completes East Coast Tour and Norway Training

The South 2014 expedition completed its East Coast Tour and training in Norway.

The Imperial Trans-Antarctic Centenary Expedition 2014 wrapped up a successful two-week speaking tour of Washington, DC and New York City on March 1.

During the tour, expedition leader Jo Davies, team member Stewart Stirling, and US liaison Glenn M. Stein spoke at the Library of Congress, Explorers Club, Rotary Clubs of Washington and Bethesda Chevy-Chase, British Embassy, Chilean Embassy, The English-Speaking Union, The British International School of New York, and The Hewitt School, among other venues.

Davies, Stirling and Stein also appeared on a 10-minute segment of PBS's the.News, which is aimed at middle and high school students. In addition, Davies was interviewed for the PBS NewsHour. After the tour, The EmeraldPlanet featured an hour-long podcast about the expedition.

During the first week of March, the team came together in the Hardangervidda area of Norway for two weeks of training. The aim was to learn survival skills for polar travel and living, along with lessons in kite skiing - an essential skill required to cross Antarctica. Not only did team members learn new skills, but they also got to know one anther better on a personal level. An important component in the South 2014 training program is the recent addition of Fluid Technology Worldwide as a training partner.

The recent training session paves the way for a return to Norway next year for additional training, and more of the same in Greenland. In the meantime, the team will be sharpening its skills during weekend sessions in the UK.