Sailing Adventure To The Antarctic

In 1977 legendary British explorer, mountaineer and yachtsman Bill Tilman was invited to join a group of adventurers aboard the converted tug En Avant. The expedition was organised and led by 24 year old Simon Richardson with the intention of climbing Mt Foster on Smith Island close to Antarctica. Richardson had accompanied the now 79 year old Tilman on some previous expeditions and Tilman had led an unsuccessful attempt on Mt Foster in the 1960’s. The En Avant disappeared without trace en-route from Rio De Janeiro to the Falkland Islands.

Angus Cater, a friend of Simon Richardson, was invited to join the expedition but declined as his wife was pregnant. 30 years later Angus Cater has mounted his own expedition to Smith Island. With a lifetime of sailing behind him Angus is using his latest boat for the expedition. Harrac is a 45′ wooden ketch, built in 1981 and refitted for the expedition.

Setting out in September last year from England, Angus, with a rotating crew, has sailed via the Panama Canal and down the west coast of South America. Unfortunately serious delays due to the engine and weather have caused Angus to cut short the trip. They are now traversing Magellan Straits to the Atlantic Ocean. The return leg will see them sailing up the Atlantic, via Rio De Janeiro and the Azores.

It seems Mt Foster will remain unconquered yet again. Still it sounds like a great trip.

Check out the expedition website.