Expressions of Intent for IPY 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

International Circumpolar Expedition  (ICP Expedition)

Outline
An international expedition is proposed to circumnavigate the globe in the longitudinal direction from the north pole returning to the north pole as part of the International Polar Year (IPY) celebration. The primary purpose of this endeavour would be to expand global public awareness of the IPY activities and to demonstrate the cultural connections between polar regions. The expedition would aim to provide a continuous awareness of activities by creating a real-time channel of information tying together various components of the two-year activity. The International Circumpolar Expedition will contribute to the IPY themes by: - creating an international experience the public will be able to follow in ‘real-time’ during the entire time-frame of the IPY; - providing an opportunity to assess the cognisance of multiple nations and cultures to the state of the Polar Regions; - collecting socio-environmental data relating experiences of indigenous cultures at both Polar Regions and in the lower latitudes; - pushing the frontiers of expedition science in an unparalleled capacity; - developing ground truth observational data on the state of Arctic sea ice, meteorology, and polar plateau ice conditions. The format of the expedition is proposed to develop as many opportunities as possible for interaction with indigenous cultures and IPY activities where applicable. Starting in the spring of 2007, the man-powered expedition would leave the north pole heading south to rendezvous with a second party. The joined teams would then sail south through the Atlantic to the coast of Antarctica, where the overland man-powered expedition would then traverse the ice sheet during the austral summer (2007-2008). During this time, the second party would be sailing around Antarctic to again rendezvous with the overland party. Joined once again, the teams would sail northward through the Pacific to the polar ice pack. The final leg of the journey would be an over-ice expedition to returning to the North Pole. A primary purpose of the expedition is to gain indigenous knowledge, thus the route would be developed to make stops in regions and countries most affected by the changing climate at the poles. This would include island and coastal nations in the Pacific and Atlantic, thereby creating a global cultural transect to expand the awareness of the IPY. Real-time expedition broadcasts would be made available during the entire course of the journey using modern satellite and web-based communications.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
T1) Data would be collected to provide ground truth data of sea ice, ice sheet, and meteorological variables for the regions crossed. T3) Socio-environmental information would be collected to assess the knowledge of climate change in various indigenous cultures both in polar regions, and in lower-latitudes where some affects of change may be greatest. T4) Man-powered expeditions of this magnitude challenge the limits of human stamina, this expedition would be crossing the frontiers of expedition science. T5) The gathering of information from various regions would be designed with the intention of developing an indigenous perspective of polar climate change. T6) Interviews of indigenous polar peoples would be a principle component of the outreach programs.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
The expedition team will be made up with individuals to provide the greatest likelihood of success. Already committed to organizational and management roles are members from the US, Switzerland, Norway, and Germany. Team members selected from various nations will provide the greatest opportunity for public awareness and media outlets in multiple languages.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Phase 1): Overice route from North Pole to N. Baffin Bay/Kane Basin via Ward Hunt Island. Phase 2): Sailing expedition via Baffin Bay to Weddell Sea and Filchner Ice Shelf Phase 3): Overland expedition traversing Antarctica via South Pole to Axel Heiberg Glacier. Phase 4): Sailing expedition northward to Point Barrow/Ambarchik. Phase 5) Overice expedition to North Pole

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: Summer (2007)      Summer (2008)      
Antarctic: Austral Summer (2007-2008)            

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Significant investment will be required for logistical support. Flight and Helicopter support to the North Pole will be required as well as possible flight support for supply caches. Accommodations at polar bases, and sailing support, and the significant cost of equipment will be required. The expedition support teams will not likely be able to support other activities.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
As a primary goal of this project is to develop ‘real-time’ monitoring of the expedition progress, numerous audio-visual products will be created. These products will include expedition footage, web-casts, and audio transcripts that will all be available for archive. Direct infrastructure will not be created.

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?
Own national polar operator
Another national polar operator
National agency
Military support
Commercial operator
Own support
Other sources of support

Logistical support will be provided primarily through private sector contributions. However, applications for support will additionally be submitted to the USNSF, the Danish Polar Centre, and other international polar operators to gain access to key support locations (e.g. Amundsen-Scott Polar Base) and military flights.

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
This expression of interest is in the process of being considered by the US National Committee for IPY.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND STRUCTURE

Is the project a short-term expansion (over the IPY 2007-2008 timeframe) of an existing plan, programme or initiative or is it a new autonomous proposal?
New
The project is an autonomous and novel expedition, which, to our knowledge, has not been previously attempted.

How will the project be organised and managed?
The key figures developing this proposal will manage the project. Organizations already committed include Outward Bound and Matchstick Productions. Both organizations have significant experience in managing expeditions of this magnitude. Support is also expected from various private sector companies. A management office and advisory committee will be created with funding from private and/or government organizations. Team members will be selected based on qualifications and experience. Two parties will be created, working together as a team to complete the expedition. One party will consist of overland expedition members, while the second party will provide sailing support.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
The expedition will be used as a mechanism to gain public awareness of the IPY activities, and thus will utilize various media outlets to distribute information. These include: a dedicated web-site with ‘real-time’ progress notes, a post-expedition film, interviews along the way, and regular press releases throughout the journey.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document)?
The management office will create an archive of all expeditionary notes. Footage, audio, and written accounts will be made available throughout the expedition. Ultimately, a DVD and post-expedition film will be created and distributed for public access.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
With approval as an IPY programme, institutions and organizations involved with the expedition planning will apply to various sources for funding. The primary source of funding will be through private sector contributions, however, proposals will be submitted to national polar operators for logistical support where applicable.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
We strongly feel that an expedition of this nature will excite the public imagination and greatly enhance public awareness of the IPY. Furthermore, it is our intention to develop the expedition to create an awareness not only of the expedition route, but additionally of the surrounding activities that are going on throughout the year. Furthermore, as the route will traverser the globe, cultural connections to climate change occuring in the Polar Regions will be highlighted, greatly expanding the impact and understanding of importance of polar research.

PROPOSER DETAILS

John Burkhart
Hurricane Island Outward Bound School (HIOBS)
75 Mechanic Street
Rockland, ME
04841
USA

Tel: 2096587142
Mobile: 2096587142
Fax: 2097244459
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation

Other Information