Vinson Pre Trip Information #3

Hello again!

You are about to embark upon a very special journey, to a very special place.  Antarctica is one of the last truly pristine areas left on our planet.  The continent is governed by the Antarctic Treaty, wherein parties commit themselves to the comprehensive protection of the Antarctic environment and dependent and associated ecosystems and hereby designate Antarctica as a natural reserve, devoted to peace and science.

In this email, we’ll provide you with some information from parts of the Antarctic Treaty that we want everyone to pay close attention to.  It is important that we all cooperate and collaborate so that this last great vestige of wilderness can remain unchanged for generations to come.

Some of the information does not necessarily pertain to Vinson climbers, but we have included it to reinforce how stringent and seriously the Treaty should be taken.  Places of Wonder should be treated as the treasures they are.

Guidance for Visitors to the Antarctic

Antarctic Treaty Recommendation XVIII-1

Activities in the Antarctic are governed by the Antarctic Treaty and associated agreements, referred to collectively as the Antarctic Treaty System. In 1959 the Treaty established Antarctica as a zone of peace and science.

In 1991 the Consultative Parties to the Antarctic Treaty adopted the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty. The protocol sets out environmental principles, procedures and obligations for the comprehensive protection of the Antarctic environment and its dependent and associated ecosystems. The Consultative Parties have agreed that, in accordance with their legal systems, the provisions of the protocol should be applied as appropriate. Organizers and operators will continue adherence to existing regulations and provide leadership in new and improved efforts.

The environmental protocol applies to tourism and non-governmental activities, as well as governmental activities in the Antarctic Treaty area. It is intended to ensure that these activities do not have adverse impacts on the Antarctic environment, or on its scientific and aesthetic values.

This Guidance for Visitors to the Antarctic is intended to ensure that all visitors are aware of, and therefore able to comply with, the Treaty and the Protocol. Visitors are, of course, bound by their own national laws and regulations applicable to activities in the Antarctic.

PROTECT ANTARCTIC WILDLIFE

Taking of or harmful interference with Antarctic wildlife is prohibited except in accordance with a permit issued by a national authority.

  • Do not use aircraft, vessels, small boats, or other means of transport in ways that disturb wildlife, either at sea or on land.
  • Do not feed, touch, or handle birds or seals, or approach or photograph them in ways that cause them to alter their behavior. Special care is needed when animals are breeding or molting.
  • Do not damage plants, by walking, driving, or landing on extensive moss beds or lichen-covered scree slopes.
  • Do not use guns or explosives. Keep noise to the minimum to avoid frightening wildlife.
  • Do not bring non-native plants or animals into the Antarctic, such as live poultry, pet dogs and cats, or house plants.

RESPECT PROTECTED AREAS

A variety of areas in the Antarctic have been afforded special protection because of their particular ecological, scientific, historic, or other values. Entry into certain areas may be prohibited except in accordance with a permit issued by an appropriate national authority. Activities in and near designated Historic Sites and Monuments and certain other areas may be subject to special restrictions.

  • Know the location of areas that have been granted special protection and any restrictions regarding entry and activities that can be carried out in and near them.
  • Observe applicable restrictions.
  • Do not damage, remove, or destroy Historic Sites or Monuments or any artifacts associated with them.

RESPECT SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH

Do not interfere with scientific research, facilities, or equipment.

  • Obtain permission before visiting Antarctic science and support facilities, reconfirm arrangements 24-72 hours before arrival, and comply with the rules regarding such visits.
  • Do not interfere with or remove scientific equipment or marker posts, and do not disturb experimental study sites, field camps, or supplies.

BE SAFE

Be prepared for severe and changeable weather and ensure that your equipment and clothing meet Antarctic standards. Remember that the Antarctic environment is inhospitable, unpredictable, and potentially dangerous.

  • Know your capabilities, the dangers posed by the Antarctic environment, and act accordingly. Plan activities with safety in mind at all times.
  • Keep a safe distance from all wildlife, both on land and at sea.
  • Take note of, and act on, the advice and instructions from your leaders; do not stray from your group.
  • Do not walk onto glaciers or large snow fields without the proper equipment and experience; there is a real danger of falling into hidden crevasses.
  • Do not expect a rescue service. Self-sufficiency is increased and risks reduced by sound planning, quality equipment, and trained personnel.
  • Do not enter emergency refuges (except in emergencies). If you use equipment or food from a refuge, inform the nearest research station or national authority once the emergency is over.
  • Respect any smoking restrictions, particularly around buildings, and take great care to safeguard against the danger of fire. This is a real hazard in the dry environment of Antarctica.

KEEP ANTARCTICA PRISTINE

Antarctica remains relatively pristine, the largest wilderness area on earth. It has not yet been subjected to large scale human perturbations. Please keep it that way.

  • Do not dispose of litter or garbage on land. Open burning is prohibited.
  • Do not disturb or pollute lakes or streams. Any materials discarded at sea must be disposed of properly.
  • Do not paint or engrave names or graffiti on rocks or buildings.
  • Do not collect or take away biological or geological specimens or man-made artifacts as souvenirs, including rocks, bones, eggs, fossils, and parts or contents of buildings.
  • Do not deface or vandalize buildings, whether occupied, abandoned, or unoccupied, or emergency refuges.

These internationally agreed guidelines apply to all visitors to Antarctica, including scientists and support staff working for governmental research programs, as well as participants on organized cruises and other expeditions, and individual visitors. The essential provisions are reflected in national laws, so violations may be subject to legal sanctions including fines or even imprisonment

The leaders and staff on this expedition are familiar with these guidelines and will explain the reasons behind them. They will help you to adhere to them. But you, too, have a part to play. By encouraging your fellow visitors to follow your own environmentally-conscious behavior, you will help us to ensure that Antarctica will remain pristine for the enjoyment of future generations. We appreciate your cooperation.

Antarctic Biosecurity: Equipment, Boot and Clothing Cleaning

Visitors could accidentally bring alien seeds, pests or diseases (as a group, called non-native species) into Antarctica or transfer them between different Antarctic ecosystems. There is no conclusive evidence that tourists have introduced non-native species or transmitted diseases to Antarctic wildlife but there is indirect and circumstantial evidence that raises concern.

To minimize the chances of bringing non-native species into Antarctica, the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) recommends decontamination practices similar to those used by quarantine authorities in many countries to prevent the introduction of alien pests and diseases.

At the end of this note is a Biosecurity Self-Audit Check List to help you check whether your clothing and equipment is thoroughly clean.

1. Before leaving home

  • Antarctica is an isolated region and is relatively free of introduced diseases. We can each help to keep it so by good preparation before we leave home.
  • All equipment, boots and clothing must be clean before you depart for Antarctica.
  • Take special care if you go trekking, hiking, backpacking or visit a farm before your Antarctic expedition. You must clean your equipment, boots and clothing thoroughly to remove all soil and organic material.
  • Equipment such as ice axes, camera tripods, sleds or vehicles can harbor soil or seeds and should also be cleaned.

 

2. In Punta Arenas

  • Your equipment, boots and clothing will be checked by ALE staff before your flight and if necessary, you will be asked to clean them again before departure.
  • Equipment, such as steam cleaners, will be available for those who need them.
  • Certain food products, such as uncertified poultry, must not be taken to Antarctica to reduce the chances of introducing diseases.

 

3. Visits to Wildlife Areas in Antarctica

  • As far as possible, avoid walking in organic material such as guano, seal placenta or seal feces, in order to avoid moving this material between sites.
  • Before moving from one site to another, scrub the sole of your boot in the snow to remove as much material as possible. If there is a simple brush scrubber, use this to clean the welts in the sole. Check that other equipment, such as camera tripods and backpacks, are clean.
  • Do not feed wildlife.
  • Do not eat near bird or seal colonies and watch out for scavengers such as South Polar Skuas.
  • Protect camp food caches and garbage so that scavengers cannot get at them.

Biosecurity Self-Audit Check List

Please use the following points as a Biosecurity Self-Audit Check List before you leave for Antarctica:

___  Have you inspected all of your clothing for soil, seeds and insects? Especially inspect cuffs, Velcro strips, pockets, seams, headwear and jacket hoods.

___ Have you emptied, vacuumed and inspected the inside of any bags that you plan to take to Antarctica to check that you are not carrying any soil, seeds or insects?
___ Is all your equipment and luggage clean and free of soil and seeds? This includes walking sticks, ski poles, skis and camera tripods or other equipment.
___ Have you scrubbed your footwear to remove all soil and organic material, especially if you have been walking on farmland?
___ Do you understand that you need to repeat the Biosecurity Self-Audit Check procedure before each new site you visit in Antarctica?

___ Share this information with others and if you see anything which causes you concern please speak to one of the Mountain Trip or ALE team in Punta Arenas or Antarctica.

By working together and communicating openly, we can all have an amazing experience and preserve a similar experience for those who come after us.

Thanks for reading all this and for taking it seriously. Please contact us with any questions.

Warm regards,

Bill, Todd, Laura
and the gang at

Mountain Trip International

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