Antarctic Matters : Kite Expedition: 6000 km around East Antarctica

1. Antarctic Matters:Kite Expedition: 6000 km around East Antarctica www.aamexpedition.org

2. Overview of the presentation: • Introduction • The expedition members • Main targets • Masters study to determine the optimal route • Meteorological observations along the route and the use of the observations

3. Introduction • Austral summer of 2011-2012: 120 days • Longest Antarctica expedition ever: 6000km (see image) • Progression: wind power – kites • Meteorological aspect: weather observations on East Antarctica

5. Introduction • Austral summer of 2011-2012: 120 days • Longest Antarctica expedition ever: 6000km (see image) • Progression: wind power – kites (pictures) • Meteorological aspect: weather observations on East Antarctica

7. Introduction • Austral summer of 2011-2012: 120 days • Longest Antarctica expedition ever: 6000km (see image) • Progression: wind power – kites (pictures) • Meteorological aspect: weather observations on East Antarctica

8. Overview of the presentation: • Introduction • The expedition members • Main targets • Masters study to determine the optimal route • Meteorological observations along the route and the use of the observations

9. Dixie Dansercoer • From Belgium • Polar traveler: • Trans Greenland expeds • Trans Antarctica 4000km • Trans Arctic: Siberia- Greenland

10. Troy Henkels • Alaska, USA • Worked 18 months in Mcmurdo/South Pole • Mountaineer/extreem kiter

11. Overview of the presentation: • Introduction • The expedition members • Main targets • Masters study to determine the optimal route • Meteorological observations along the route and the use of the observations

12. Main Targets • To travel the longest distance in an unsupported way on Antarctica • To establish a new expedition route based on the prevailing wind • To contribute to the research wind systems on East Antarctica • To contribute to the Antarctic Prediction System • Support educational Programs promoting environmental awareness

13. Overview of the presentation: • Introduction • The expedition members • Main targets • Masters study to determine the optimal route • Meteorological observations along the route and the use of the observations

14. The Optimal route around East Antarctica Masters degree study by Mathijs Van Asbroek (University of Leuven)

15. The optimal route • Introduction • Conditions to determine the route • Scores • Result

16. The optimal route • Introduction • Conditions to determine the route • Scores • Result

17. Conditions to determine the route • Along fixed checkpoints (image) start: Novolazarevskaja (2500mr) Amundsen-Scott Princess Elisabeth

19. Princess Elisabeth base

20. Conditions to determine the route • Along fixed checkpoints (image) • Favourable wind conditions (image)

21. Atmospheric models: AMPS and MAR

22. Conditions to determine the route • Along fixed checkpoints • Favourable wind conditions • No big elevation changes (image)

24. Conditions to determine the route • Along fixed checkpoints • Favourable wind conditions • No big elevation changes With those three conditions drawn out a rough traject:

26. The optimal route • Introduction • Conditions to determine the route • Scores per section 7 (image) • Result

28. Scores • Comparison: wind direction – movement direction (table)

30. Scores • Comparison: wind direction – movement direction • Slope gradient (image)

32. Scores • Comparison: wind direction – movement direction • Slope gradient • Total distance (time 120 days) (image)

33. Filter for the distance Difference with average route

34. The optimal route • Introduction • Conditions to determine the route • Scores per section 7 • Result

35. Result: 8 routes

36. Result: 1 route

37. Overview of the presentation: • Introduction • The expedition members • Main targets • Masters study to determine the optimal route • Meteorological observations along the route and the use of the observations

38. Meteorological Observations • Introduction • The need for real time observations over East Antarctica • Set up at this point

39. Meteorological Observations • Introduction • The need for real time observations over East Antarctica • Set up at this point

40. Meteorological Observations • Introduction • The need for real time observations over East Antarctica • Set up at this point (nxt)

41. Set up at this point • Continuous readings (T, dd and P) • On several elevation points: 1. surface (on the sledge) 2. on top of the lines (alt 1-200m) 3. in between if possible 4. gps to determine pos, movement and elevation • Camera in top: images of sastrugi

42. Meteorological Observations • Introduction • The need for real time observations over East Antarctica • Set up at this point (nxt) • Suggestion: - Use of these observations - Compose a protocol/program - Anything to make this data set more valuable

43. Thanks for your attention