Antarctic Matters:

Kite Expedition: 6000 km around East Antarctica

www.aamexpedition.org

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

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

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

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

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

Dixie Dansercoer

• From Belgium

• Polar traveler:

• Trans Greenland expeds

• Trans Antarctica 4000km

• Trans Arctic: Siberia- Greenland

Troy Henkels

• Alaska, USA

• Worked 18 months in Mcmurdo/South Pole

• Mountaineer/extreem kiter

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

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

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

The Optimal route around East Antarctica

Masters degree study by Mathijs Van Asbroek

(University of Leuven)

The optimal route

• Introduction

• Conditions to determine the route

• Scores

• Result

The optimal route

• Introduction

• Conditions to determine the route

• Scores

• Result

Conditions to determine the route

• Along fixed checkpoints (image)

start: Novolazarevskaja (2500mr)

Amundsen-Scott

Princess Elisabeth

Princess Elisabeth base

Conditions to determine the route

• Along fixed checkpoints (image)

• Favourable wind conditions (image)

Atmospheric models: AMPS and MAR

Conditions to determine the route

• Along fixed checkpoints

• Favourable wind conditions

• No big elevation changes (image)

Conditions to determine the route

• Along fixed checkpoints

• Favourable wind conditions

• No big elevation changes

With those three conditions drawn out a rough traject:

The optimal route

• Introduction

• Conditions to determine the route

• Scores per section 7 (image)

• Result

Scores

• Comparison: wind direction – movement direction

(table)

Scores

• Comparison: wind direction – movement direction

• Slope gradient (image)

Scores

• Comparison: wind direction – movement direction

• Slope gradient

• Total distance (time 120 days) (image)

Filter for the distance

Difference with average route

The optimal route

• Introduction

• Conditions to determine the route

• Scores per section 7

• Result

Result: 8 routes

Result: 1 route

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

Meteorological Observations

• Introduction

• The need for real time observations over East Antarctica

• Set up at this point

Meteorological Observations

• Introduction

• The need for real time observations over East Antarctica

• Set up at this point

Meteorological Observations

• Introduction

• The need for real time observations over East Antarctica

• Set up at this point (nxt)

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

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

Thanks for your attention