Customer Reviews

Crossing Antarctica

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When we read about explorers who planned an almost eight-month trip across 3700 miles of Antarctica we think of white-out conditions, super-cold temperatures, monotony and long, grueling hours basically doing the same thing day in, day out. That is exactly what Will Seger documents in this journal he maintained of his 1989-1990 trip across the 7th continent with five other people.

A French, Chinese, Russian, English and Japanese teammate made this quite an interesting international team, although the writer does not go into great details of their personalities. (He later admits that the language barrier kept them from knowing more about each other.) If there is one flaw to this book it's that the other team mates weren't portrayed in great detail. We only get short sketches of the other players.

From an armchair reader, nothing exciting truly happens. The sky is either blue or white. The dogs are either resting or running across ice-packed snow. Conversations are minimal and time alone excruciating. The most depressing event is the death of one of the dogs, but by the time that happens it is expected. And then later a female dog goes into heat and gets pregnant...

This book is still a good read because one thing Seger does well in this book is talk about the human psyche. What does he and his mates think about all these months? What does one do alone in a tent with wet gear around you? How do the dogs handle the "adventure?" How does one spend the time day in, day out in the middle of nowhere? What goes through one's mind? What is the one thing a human misses the most in such a desolate place? And what pieces of equipment should one never leave home without while on such an endeavor?

Yes, it got boring at times. The most exciting entries, besides the first and last day, was his entry from the South Pole. He did not give me a good feeling about the US National Science Foundation and their dictatorial treatment of any and all private expeditions on Antartica. He gave the Soviets and even Chinese government more credit for assisting them across the continent.

His observations on another adenture, Reinhold Messner, seems to be typical of many others who have met that Austrian. Messner is mentioned in several passages because Messner had anther expedition planned in Antartica at almost the same time. Although he was very diplomatic in his descriptions of the man, it's obvious that Messner had his own agenda.

Another negative vibe I got from the book is Segel's feelings toward Adventure Network, the company that originally contracted to assist them in their expedition. Granted, the company was fairly young and inexperienced in 1989, but I still wouldn't want to deal with that company today simply from what I read in this book. Neither Adventure Network nor the National Science Foundation were later mentioned in the epilgoue of this book.

I have great respect for people who complete such adventures. The time, money and personal sacrifices all six teammates undertook is quite admirable. I have no desire to follow them to the South Pole. I am quite happy hiking up 10,000' mountains and forest trails of the South and Northwest.

Don't expect much "Adventure" in this book. However, on a hot summer night this book will refresh your spirit and you'll be thankful you are not at the South Pole. But, for an explorer who made the Arctic regions his mantra, and who later became a great protector of the Poles, this is a good book to read and reflect on one of Earth's last pristine legacies.

Despite what others might say, this book is about an adventure. Doing the unthinkable and something that no one has done before is by it's very nature an adventure. Others may have you believe that unless something catastrophic happens it is not an adventure, but usually bad things happen from lack of proper planning. Don't discount Steger as a true adventurer simply because he is smart! People who have done a fractional amount of the exploration Will Steger has should appreciate this book. However, if your idea of adventure is sliding a little closer to the fire in your stocking feet while you read about some blokes misfortune via improper planning then read another book.

After meeting Will and hearing him lecture on climate change and his experiences witnessing it first hand I could not help but pick up his book about the trip across Antarctica. It turned out to be an amazing portrait of determination and love for the planet. To be able to spend months living in these conditions on the behalf of science is dedication. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the natural planet and the adventure it holds.

Great reading if you like to live an extreme adventure from your arm chair. Having been to Antarctica I could relate to some of the experiences.

This book is an account of the first crossing by foot of Antarctica by veteran adventurer Will Steger and his team. Steger is no adventurer in the British tradition of SCott, instead his crossing his meticulously planned and carried out. Very little out of the ordinary occurs. THe lesson in this book is that most adventure travel is boring, unless disaster strikes! Even a less than enthralling adventure however, would have been made better by a more gifted writer than STeger. His descriptions are stilted and the diary style entries only reinforce the boredom. If you want to know how to plan an expedition, read this book. Other wise there are far better adventure stories out there. Read The Last Place on Earth by Roland HUntford or Endurance by Alfred Lansing.