Two prominent Antarctic expeditions have had to face unexpectedly harsh conditions in the southernmost continent lately.A Russian research vessel carrying 22 crew and 35 passengers has been stuck in sea ice of Antarctica's Commonwealth Bay since Christmas Eve.Strong winds packed ice around the ship,preventing it from making away,said co-leader Professor Chris Turney of the expedition Spirit of Mawson.Some of the passengers are citizens who paid to take part of the expedition,which is marking the centenary of Australian explorer Douglas Mawson's famous expedition in 1913.All aboard are said to be in good condition.They had earlier viewed Mawson's well-preserved hut and artifacts on the land.
The centenary expedition has been studying climate,birds,oceans,geology and marine life.For most of December,good conditions facilitated quality research on Commonwealth Bay and its islands.The research ship,the Akademik Shokalskiy of Vladivostok,Russia,is in regular contact with some ice-hardened vessels coming to the rescue.At least one or two of them should reach the stranded explorers today,Friday.
Meanwhile,Prince Harry of Great Britain is nearing the end of his own 200 mile trek across the frigid continent Antarctica.The expedition,now 37 miles from its goal,is sponsored by veterans charity Walking With The Wounded and Virgin Money.It is intended to raise money for wounded war veterans and their families.Prince Harry is himself a combat veteran of the Afghan War.
Prince Harry,accompanied by actors Alexander Skarsgard and Dominic West,had trained in an ice chamber for the expedition,learning how to prevent frostbite and other medical problems.They have encountered unprecedented terrain on the plateau and temperatures of 31 below zero Fahrenheit.The hazardous conditions forced them to abandon the three team race format and form a joint expedition instead.
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