An outside perspective

We have been at the E-Base now for over 14 days and our spirits are still high, despite what some may consider fairly testing conditions.

To say that we have become a truly formidable team doesn’t begin to describe our camaraderie, with a simple understanding that we could not have accomplished any task, large or small, as individuals, but that through teamwork we could conquer any obstacle.

It was quite touching to receive the following message on our Message Wall yesterday from an outside perspective, a gentleman who crossed our path here in Bellingshausen last week, when we first arrived.

Ajay, thank you for highlighting the conditions of our endeavor. Your words were received with great humility and both comforted and inspired our small team. For those of you who may not have seen his message, we’d like to share it with you now:

I was on King George Island when the E-Base team arrived.

I found Marjan uploading videos a day after they had arrived in the middle of night from the hut of Alejo who is himself an Antarctic veteran. When it comes to natural energy, this whole group led by Robert Swan are a major source of power in themselves. I think my laptop got charged just being around these guys, such is the energy they emit.

Next day they started the toil of hauling equipment up the hill in 25 to 30 knot winds and gusts that were replaced by rain and then heavy fog within the next 24 hours. The conditions were simply atrocious and down at the Russian and Chilean bases we wondered if these guys were mad. No heating, no hot water, no light - nothing - in those terrible conditions and they were huddled up there in the elements working as though it was spring time in England.

They continued working systematically and undeterred and soon the E-Base was up and functioning. It might seem easy from here but no video or words can describe the conditions they were up against.

The commitment, bravado and sheer grit of Swan and his team is infectious and inspiring. He himself is made in the mold of original explorers like Scott and Shackleton. It is said about the Antarctic that the cold & distant continent attracts the finest and worst of humans and bares their soul naked once they are there. Swan is the finest of human species committed to preservation and common good and they are all lovable characters.

I hope their adventures are made compulsory reading in schools because their work is the advancement of civilization in the right direction.

On a personal note: It was great to meet with you guys, hope to see you in London soon and talk about how we can take your message to Europe and Russia through our projects. Good luck.