W5 -- Why, what, where, when, who?

As I move into the final countdown (four more sleeps!) I suppose I could elaborate a bit more on the plans for my trip.

Why? I've been working hard at finishing my masters thesis and working as interpretive supervisor in Kananaskis Country. So I figured it was about time to reward myself. 2008 has been a big year of change, growth and transformation for me and I want to go into 2009 in a positive, memorable way.

What and who? There are two parts to my trip:
1) Falkland Islands Research Expedition with Dr. Bill Franklin He's studying an population of guanacos (like a wild llama) that were introduced onto a small island in the late 1800's. They are an interesting population genetically (the island is a closed system) and their effect on the island's vegetation is also worth studying. Dr. Franklin has studied these animals in their native Patagonia for many years and this study is another branch of his work.
2) Students on Ice Expedition This program aims to increase awareness of global environmental issues that affect the earth's poles. They do an Arctic and Antarctic trip every year and this year I'll be joining them on the Antarctic voyage. They take students from all over the world (ages 14-19) and I'm going along as a "chaperone".

Where and when?
December 4th -- Leave Calgary, Alberta, Canada
December 5th -- Arrive in Punta Arenas, Chile and meet the team for the Falklands Expedition
December 6th -- Fly to Stanley, Falkland Islands
December 7th -- Get to Staats Island (either by helicopter or by plane and then boat)
December 7th- 17th -- Tenting on Staats Island doing field work (tagging newborn guanacos, completing vegetation maps of the island, observing family groups of guanacos, doing a population count to estimate the size of the Staats Island guanaco population)
December 17th - 20th -- Enjoy Stanley and surrounding area
December 20th -- Fly back to Punta Arenas, Chile
December 21st -- Leave for Ushuaia, Argentina (near Tierra del Fuego National Park)
December 23rd -- Fly to Buenos Aires, Argentina to pick up the first students for the Antarctic Expedition
December 26th -- Head back to Ushuaia, Argentina to get ready for our departure
December 28th -- Set sail for the Drake Passage
December 29th -- Crossing the Drake Passage (hoping not to get seasick!)
December 30th -- Attempt a landing at the South Shetland Islands
December 31st - January 4th -- Exploring Antarctica (with almost 24-hour sunlight!)
January 5th -- Start crossing back over the Drake Passage
January 7th -- Disembark at Ushuaia, Argentina
January 8th -- Start heading homeward
January 10th -- Arrive back in Calgary (tired, inspired and transformed!)

Welcome to Ms. Fahlman's Grade 1/2 Class!

Just wanted to say a quick "HI!" to Ms. Fahlman's Grade 1/2 class who will be following my trip down south! I'll be keeping in touch through my blog and answering any questions they might have as I go along. So if you've got any questions so far, let's hear them!

Only 6 more sleeps until I fly!

View Larger Map

The Falkland Islands are found off the east coast of Argentina and will be my first stop on my trip. Port Stanley is the capital town and from there, I'll be heading to Staats Island -- a tiny 0.5 X 5 km island in the West Falklands. If you want any more information about the Falklands, check out their tourism website: http://www.visitorfalklands.com/

Grouping my poop....

It's down to the single digits now...only 9 more sleeps until I'm outta here! I had my last school program today. Best question of the year hands down: Do you have to hunt for your own food in Kananaskis? Gotta love those kids :) I've got 5 days of work left and I'm finding it so hard to think about anything work related.

The pile in my room is growing, now including dry bags, rubber boots, merino long johns, shorts (for Buenos Aires), no-bake chocolate cookie mix, sunscreen (for the ultra UV-rays under the hole in the ozone), polarizing filters for my camera lenses, and most importantly a large quantity of fair-trade, organic dark chocolate! I've been having dreams of getting ready to head to the airport only to realize that I have not yet packed anything, hence the uber-preparations.

On a completely unrelated note -- I like things unrelated you see -- I went mixed climbing for the first time on Sunday! Think ice axes and crampons, yet no ice. Interesting. Me thinks I like it! Made me feel hardcore anyways...I'll have to post some pictures at some point.

I'll update with more of an itinerary soon...and maybe a map. Yes. I think a map would be splendiferous.

Procrastination

It is way more interesting to be writing about my upcoming adventures than to sit and finish my strategy document for my employer. I would much rather think about shiny new gear, blank pages of my journal, freshly sharpened pencils, EVEN packing would be more interesting at this point. So I ALT-Tab and go back and forth to avoid that feeling of guilt (similar to thesis guilt for those of you familiar with that feeling) while still in actuality avoiding any kind of real work.

I've just purchased a new wide angle lens....10-20mm....beautiful! And my telephoto zoom lens is on its way. I've been trying to find a little bit of time to play with my camera every day so that I'm ready to take on the amazing scenery and people on my trip.

Some of you have been asking for more information about my trips and at the moment, I'm going to cop out and send you a link, at least of the Antarctic portion of my trip. I'm going with Students on Ice Expeditions. Check them out: http://www.studentsonice.com/

Over and out!
D

Going home....I always breathe deeply when I see those peaks. My backyard!

The countdown is on...

Eighteen more sleeps. Then this Alberta girl is wandering her way to the southern reaches of the planet: the Falkland Islands (or for those speaking Spanish, las Islas Malvinas) and Antarctica. That's right....the land of Shackleton and penguins! I can hardly believe it myself. I've got a pile of stuff started in my office at home -- first aid supplies, herbal motion sickness remedies, art supplies, dried fruit snacks, my tent, and the list goes on! It still hasn't really sunk in though.

On an unrelated note, I attended my convocation in Victoria last week. I'm now a Master....of the Universe I think! I actually enjoyed the whole pomp and circumstance of marching down to the marquee with the cheesy gown (and my red boots), with live pipers and umbrellas (it was pouring rain!). Dr. Sheila-Watt Cloutier received her honourary doctorate from Royal Roads and gave the keynote address to the graduates. What an amazing woman!! Nomitated for a Nobel Peace Prize (along with Al Gore), she has been traveling the world to talk about global climate change from the perspective of the Northern people. I got to see her talk beforehand to a small group and she is so humble and inspiring!

I did some sknorkeling with Joy and Nick and Collin off Ogden Point and saw some familiar faces: kelp greenlings (aka Karl), rock fish, urchins, blood stars, kelp crabs, decorator crabs and lots of kelp. I felt right at home. I often feel like I have two seperate, equally strong roots that I'm developing: one on the left coast and the other in the Kananaskis Valley. Still not sure how to accomodate them both.

Anywho, I will continue to update on preparations for my southward journey and hopefully will be able to post a few ramblings as I adventure forth.