I believe …
„I believe it is in our nature to explore,
to reach out into the unknown.“
Sir Ernest Shackleton
Sailing SOUTH – Sailing in the footsteps of Shackleton in the Southern Ocean
Background
Sailing in Shackleton’s footsteps to Antarctica and the Southern Ocean is probably a dream for many people.
I had this dream too. Ever since I sailed around the world with the explorers between two book covers as a child, I have had this longing for the vast oceans and remote corners of the world, especially those in the high latitudes.
In 2022, I launched the ‘Sailing SOUTH 2024’ project. A privately initiated expedition to organise and realise this very special journey for myself and others.
The time had come at the beginning of February 2024. After almost two years of organisation full of enthusiasm and perseverance and thanks to the enthusiasm of some curious, daring fellow travellers and the polar sailing enthusiasts from Selma Expeditions, a personal dream became a joint adventure and a successful expedition in the footsteps of Shackleton: 45 unforgettable days and 3,078 nautical miles in the Southern Ocean and Antarctica lay in our wake at the end.
But – as is the nature of expeditions – not all our plans worked out: nature threw a spanner in the works.
Shackleton and his men were thwarted by the ice in 1914, we were thwarted 110 years later by bird flu, which thwarted our goal of reaching South Georgia. Instead, we ventured into the Weddell Sea and were able to discover many remote and little-known places and coasts – off the beaten track and away from the usual Antarctic destinations. As planned, we followed in the footsteps of Sir Ernest Shackleton and his men, reached Point Wild on Elephant Island and arrived on the Falkland Islands happy, rich in shared experiences and as a close-knit team.
However, the goal of South Georgia has not been given up. The dream is not yet over.
And now the time has come: there are new plans for 2026!
Two years after Sailing SOUTH 2024, another 110 years after Shackleton set foot on this storm-tossed, remote island in the Southern Ocean, I would like to make another attempt and organise two expeditions to South Georgia.
Sailing South 2026
The journey in the footsteps of Ernest Shackleton continues
After the expedition is before the expedition
As soon as we arrived in Stanley harbour, it was clear that this couldn’t be the end. By the time we left the Falkland Islands, the first ideas for a continuation of Sailing SOUTH 2024 were slowly taking shape in our heads.
We still have an unfinished business with South Georgia, the Falkland Islands are definitely worth a trip of their own and an adventure in their own right. There are so many remote islands, unspoilt coastlines and fantastic wildlife to discover here.
The team from Selma Expeditions – who became friends after our adventure together – were immediately on board.
We want to set sail together again, following in Shackleton’s footsteps.
Sailing SOUTH 2026. Under sail to South Georgia and the Falkland Islands
On a ski expedition *, we want to literally follow in Shackleton’s footsteps, follow his tracks across the central mountains and cross the island, just like the boss did during the spectacular rescue operation of his team on the Endurance expedition 110 years earlier. Of course, under completely different conditions and with modern means. * postponed indefinitely
On a sailing expedition, we want to discover the wild coasts and bays of South Georgia, the spectacular glaciers and the unique biodiversity of this sub-Antarctic island. We will walk in Shackleton‘s footsteps, tracing his spirit and the history of the old whaling stations. We will then set course for the remote coasts and countless islands of the Falkland Islands.
Two great adventures on a small sailing yacht. Into one of the most remote, wildest and most beautiful sailing areas in the world. These expeditions offer a rare and extraordinary opportunity to get to know South Georgia and the Falkland Islands in a very personal way and with plenty of time to explore in a way that is not possible with a larger ship or cruise ship.
Curious?
The team is not yet complete and I am looking for curious, daring, seaworthy fellow sailors with enough time and a suitable budget who are ready to fulfil a big dream of their own and embark on this adventure with me.