Shows
Ice Coffee: the history of human activity in Antarctica125_RARE_CodaTrail operations, survey flights, tension, and a surprise for the Darlingtons. The RARE comes to a close and departs Stonington Island with the aid of the Operation Windmill ice breakers. The FIDS stay to keep the lights on at Base E. 2021-07-231h 11Ice Coffee: the history of human activity in Antarctica124_Religion_in_AntarcticaIn this episode I fail to respect, let alone defer to, religious beliefs and the artifacts and structures dedicated to various deities' alleged glory while recounting the ongoing story of religion at high southern latitudes. Happy to take debates on the merits of religion generally or your religion specifically if this outing causes sufficient umbrage. I've got a podcast for exactly that sort of dialogue and it's rare it gets an airing because most local theologians know to give me a wide berth. Come at me if you need to. Perspective adjustments on the merits of the apologia you...2021-07-0147 minIce Coffee: the history of human activity in Antarctica123_Stonington_Island_co-existenceThe Ronnes sulk about the FIDS as the RARE settle in to their digs on Stonington Island but realise they have to Voltron up or get little done. George Takei makes his series debut in company with Katie Sagal and Billy West. 2021-07-011h 09Ice Coffee: the history of human activity in Antarctica122_Extended_Kevin_Walton_quotationsWorried that you might be feeling cheated on the history front, this month, here's some hefty chunks of trail experiences from the pen of one who lived it. Do you want your word hoosh thick or thin? I can add extra p flour, if you want. 2021-06-0133 minIce Coffee: the history of human activity in Antarctica121_Aviation_futre_past_future_Sean_McBrideSean McBride intends taking electric flight to Antarctic and I am excited about it. I'm also excited about my own investigations into heading south to follow in Wilkins and Eilson's prop steps but uncertain whether it will or should happen. 2021-06-0149 minIce Coffee: the history of human activity in Antarctica120_Operation_WindmillUS Navy ice breakers get ground control parties ashore to provide fixed points of reference for Operation Highjump aerial photographs. Helicopters work ship to Antarctic shore for the first time.2021-05-1530 minIce Coffee: the history of human activity in Antarctica119_Stonington_Collision_CourseThe RARE draws nearer its destination and the FIDS head out on trail. Will the confluence of two Antarctic expeditions in the same place at the same time conflict with the laws of physics? Listen to 119 and find out. Oooh, see what I did there? Sizzly call to action. Getting good at this marketing shit, ay? 2021-05-1325 minIce Coffee: the history of human activity in Antarctica118_Operation_Highjump_part_twoThe largest ever Antarctic expedition runs its course. The Sennet heads north with its bow in a sling, divers get with the diving, and the DC-3 makes its "Ice Coffee" debut while the Sea Bees make everything else. 2021-04-301h 00Ice Coffee: the history of human activity in Antarctica117_Operation_Highjump_part_oneThe United States Navy returns to Antarctica, this time under Admiral Cruzen, though Admiral Byrd was there and waving hard at the cameras and yelling that we shouldn't forget that he's the mayor of Antarctica and firsted all the firsts. While not the first fatal air accident in Antarctica, the George 1 becomes the first fatal air accident in Antarctica anyone can recount with any degree of certainty, with white-out conditions leading to controlled flight into terrain, foreshadowing further aviation tragedies in the far south. 2021-04-2943 minIce Coffee: the history of human activity in Antarctica116_Amanda_Zimmerman_and_the_view_from_McMurdoThis month, in a very special episode of "Ice Coffee" Amanda Zimmerman shares her insights on life at McMurdo Station. Timely stuff for those listeners applying for USARP slots for the first time. Best of luck with your applications, people.2021-04-2623 minIce Coffee: the history of human activity in Antarctica115_FIDS_first_iteration_part_2Large quantities of stores, lumber and conviviality go ashore and become Trepassey House, home to FIDS and their dogs for several subsequent years. 2021-04-0757 minIce Coffee: the history of human activity in Antarctica114_FIDS_first_iteration_part_1The Tabarin mooted, Marr demurred Base E arises on Stonington Island, five nautical miles from the BGLE hut on Barry Island but two hundred yards from the Johnny-come-five-years-ago East Base. Ted Bingham leads the first iteration of the FIDS and sets the tone for subsequent cohorts. Scones, rum, freshies and the sort of treats that make Brits wave their hands about like Wallace from "Wallace and Gromit" while saying, "Ooooh, lovely," but which would leave anyone from any other culture saying "What the hell kind of celebratory repast is this? Am I being punished for something in som...2021-03-1742 minIce Coffee: the history of human activity in Antarctica113_RARE_Part_1Finn Ronne makes ready for his return to Stonington Island, getting away late, in debt and with morale already fraying at the edges. My apologies to anyone who downloaded the place holder episode used to keep this place held while I finished editing episode 113. Here's the real deal.2021-02-0148 minIce Coffee: the history of human activity in Antarctica112_BitsWith a hundred meg of storage in my name and a lot of audio snippets with nothing better to do I give you the bits episode. Mind the neck bolts. This episode features the first competition I've run in a long time. As usual it's biased in favour of early listeners who are old and who are me. Voices from the past. Voices I hope will feature in the future. One voice that long since broke. We belong Dad.2020-12-311h 19Ice Coffee: the history of human activity in Antarctica111_Operation_Tabarin_part_3Hope Bay's second tranche of winter residents settle in. Then they head home to a less than heartening reception than their Swedish predecessors experienced, though Taylor didn't die in a public transport accident, so there's that. 2020-12-261h 04Ice Coffee: the history of human activity in Antarctica110_Professor_Spencer_Davis_optical_phenomenaPenguin sex gets the attention it deserves after Murray Levick deprived the world of his observations due to his prudish Victorian era sensibilities. Professor Lloyd Spencer Davis gives you the good oil on the oily birds getting it on (early birds only get worms). Extended and diminished visibility and lights in the sky at high latitudes receive some attention from a non-physicist who will accept corrections with gratitude and alacrity. 2020-12-2651 minIce Coffee: the history of human activity in Antarctica109_Operation_Tabarin_part_2James Marr takes his military expedition south and sets up shop on Goudier Island at Port Lockroy in Bransfield House, and also Base A. 2020-12-061h 31Ice Coffee: the history of human activity in Antarctica108_Update2020-11-3004 minIce Coffee: the history of human activity in Antarctica107_Operation_Tabarin2020-11-181h 04Ice Coffee: the history of human activity in Antarctica106_Women_in_AntarcticaMore fuck! than you can poke a stick at.2020-08-051h 53Ice Coffee: the history of human activity in Antarctica105_USASE_Part_3So fuck! it warrants spelling fark!2020-08-051h 41Ice Coffee: the history of human activity in Antarctica104_USASE_Part_2Fuck!2020-08-0436 minIce Coffee: the history of human activity in Antarctica103_USASE_Part_1Keystone cops. Byrd at his finest. Fumes and fuming.2020-08-011h 14Ice Coffee: the history of human activity in AntarcticaAntarctica antarcticLincoln Ellsworth convinces Sir Hubert Wilkins to head south once again and achieves very little. 2020-07-1155 minIce Coffee: the history of human activity in Antarctica101_World_War_reprise_and_foreshadowing_the_cold_war_to_followThe War to End All Wars didn't do what it said on the box and political and economic pressures to fascist all over Europe, China and the Pacific led to another protracted period of bloodshed and barbarism. This episode is short and short on Antarctic content but it's important to understand the motives and outcomes of the morass of conflicts we came to call the Second World War because war and its wake once more held a lot of sway in what happened in Antarctica and by whom it happened to happen. No mere happenstance but economic and po...2020-06-3014 minIce Coffee: the history of human activity in Antarctica100_Nazis_on_ice_part_twoNazis don't deserve theme music, soundscapes or even my best efforts at editing out narrating flubs. 2020-06-0240 minIce Coffee: the history of human activity in Antarctica099_Nazis_on_ice_part_oneDriven south by the Third Reich's thirst for fat, the Schwabenland (ship version) carries two cool flying boats and a load of fucking nazis to Antarctic shores. No house keeping and no calls to action, this episode, because I hate nazis and writing, recording and editing this episode made me grumpy. Given that I parted brass rags with Quark expeditions because one of their guests called me a nazi and I told him to go fuck himself only re-doubles my anger at having to incorporate nazi assholes into my narrative. Even Richard Byrd doesn't get me thi...2020-05-2927 minIce Coffee: the history of human activity in Antarctica098_BGLE_wrap_up_and_twice_the_normal_number_of_McArthursThe British Graham Land Expedition comes to a close but it's not the last we'll hear of its members or the repercussions of the work they carried out.2020-05-2242 minIce Coffee: the history of human activity in Antarctica097_BGLE_Part_2The British Graham Land Expedition near the end of their second year in Antarctica. Much flying, sledging, surveying and the first crossing of Graham Land. Huzzah.2020-04-261h 00Ice Coffee: the history of human activity in Antarctica096_The_British_Graham_Land_Expedition_Part_01John Rymill picks up where Gino Watkins' death left off and leads the most efficient Antarctic expedition to date. Lots of new discoveries, competent seamanship, sledging and flying ensue. The BGLE set the mold for safe and competent operations in the high southern latitudes.2020-03-3054 minIce Coffee: the history of human activity in Antarctica095_Santiago_the_ornithologist_and_John_the_pilotI've traveled with Santiago for three austral summers and his humour and humanity have buoyed my moods while his perspectives on the birds we encountered opened my eyes to biological vistas I'd previously not spotted due to my focus on the mud. I only just met John Marsden ten minutes before pressing record but his tales of high latitudes aviation warrant further attention than the ten minutes afforded at Seaworks. I hope to spend a lot more time in company with these people in the future but until then here's a sonic record of our encounters. 2020-02-2930 minIce Coffee: the history of human activity in Antarctica094_Ellsworth_triumphant_but_still_a_jerkLincoln Ellsworth's money returns to Antarctica with new pilots, no meteorologist and Norwegians all but ready to throttle him. Job's a good 'un, though, in spite of the lack of oomph, patience and skill the money bags brought with him. Herbert Hollick-Kenyon nails one of the best put downs in Antarctic history while puffing on his pipe, munching on boiled sweets and reading westerns. Lots of penguins, seals and Swedes in the aural background. Still holding off on throwing the switch on the Patreon account as there's one more episode in the off...2020-02-051h 04Ice Coffee: the history of human activity in Antarctica093_Ellsworth_at_his_bestEllsworth's money gets it into its head to be the first to cross Antarctica. Wilkins, Balchen, Braathen and another polar pig get tangled up in his weak sauce Ahab routine. Soundscapes featuring Port Circumcision and the waters just off Two Hummock Island, which I'm sure is the British Hydrographic Office's cleaned up label for a rude sailor name originally given that land mass by some sailors who'd been at sea for a really, really long time or who knew a woman with really unusually shaped breasts. 2020-02-011h 06Ice Coffee: the history of human activity in Antarctica092_Ice_Life_Art_and_UnemploymentTwo interviews with three fellow Drake Passage crossers and a thunder accompanied decompression after recent upheavals. Anyone who feels hard done by in the third act is welcome to a right of reply. Also putting out my shingle via Patreon once more. https://www.patreon.com/Ice_Coffee outlines what's on offer in return for financial support but I won't start processing episode releases through the Patreon system until people who signed up years ago have a chance to check they still want to contribute at the levels they pledged. Back to history ne...2020-01-291h 09Ice Coffee: the history of human activity in Antarctica091_Little_America_Two_FinaleIn an epic episode spanning an hour and a half and featuring a singing leopard seal, blowing humpbacks and the tuneless honking of the penguins the residents of Little America and Bolling Advance Base and the various dog and half-track teams reconvene and get out of Dodge aboard the Jacob Ruppert and the Bear.2019-12-301h 32Ice Coffee: the history of human activity in Antarctica090_Little_America_part_two_part_threeByrd gets exactly what he asks for, what he deserves, and then saved, spoiling the symmetry of an otherwise well mapped story of hubris and punishment in the Greek myth mold. 2019-12-251h 05Ice Coffee: the history of human activity in Antarctica089_Little_America_two_part_twoByrd's second expedition re-colonises Byrd's first expedition's digs after lots of digging. Gentoo penguins under the hut floor provide ambience. 2019-11-2225 min
Ice Coffee: the history of human activity in Antarctica088_Little_America_II_part_oneBoom! Two episodes in two days. Take that, incomprehensible download statistics. Let's see me make sense of you now. Byrd returns south to finish... something... something brave and stirring and laudably scientific and humanitarian, no doubt. Prolly work it out in payroll. Or in a post-hoc rationalisation that will remain in publication for half a century. More importantly, I get to share music I love with you. Egoism's song "What are we doing" rounds out this episode and I hope you're inspired to check out their offerings, available at https://egoismband.bandcamp.com/2019-10-101h 09Ice Coffee: the history of human activity in Antarctica087_What_happens_on_the_ice_ANDRILL_go_boil_your_head_EdIceolation and why it's not a big deal these days, a fourteen year old interview with Professor Timothy Naish, and an excuse to use my favourite quote from my favourite robot.2019-10-0930 minIce Coffee: the history of human activity in Antarctica086_Watkins_WilkinsJeff Maynard returns to the dive hut to discuss the non-voyage of the Nautilus and we receive a visitation from the ghost of an Antarctic feline. Then the sustained influence of James Wordie and the efforts of Gino Watkins get some attention to set the scene for further British efforts in the south. Oooh, foreshadowing and ghosts. Woooooooooooo!2019-09-2759 minIce Coffee: the history of human activity in Antarctica085_NorwegiansLars Christensen funds extensive coastal exploration in concert with his whaling exploits. A decade of Norwegian effort gets compressed into a single chagrined episode. 2019-08-1446 minIce Coffee: the history of human activity in Antarctica084_BANZARE_Part_3The best acronym in Antarctic history draws to a close and Sir Douglas leaves the southern continent for the last time. Similarly the Discovery makes its final transit of the Southern Ocean. | Some errors of fact that warrant addenda pass into your ears. 2019-07-0148 minIce Coffee: the history of human activity in Antarctica083_BANZARE_Mawson_needs_a_ginThe first BANZARE voyage plays out with much tension, flying and coal.2019-06-0353 minIce Coffee: the history of human activity in Antarctica082_BANZARE_Mawson_rides_againOld Dux Ipse thought he was the ducks nuts but the BANZARE looks more a dog's breakfast than the dog's bollocks. Another not-a-race sees the Discovery racing south on its penultimate voyage. Sir Douglas Mawson and John King Davis get on each other's nerves ninety years ago. 2019-05-1352 minIce Coffee: the history of human activity in Antarctica081_Interviews_and_soundscapesThree interviews with staff at Bransfield House, Port Lockroy, one with a descendant of Bartholomew Sulivan, second mate on the Beagle under Fitzroy and Falklands Island farmer, and animal noises from the islands. Happy April, one and all. 2019-04-301h 05Ice Coffee: the history of human activity in Antarctica080_Sam_Edmonds_and_taking_the_piss_out_of_AntarcticaSam Edmonds is good company at high and low latitudes but you'll know that for yourself by the end of the interview, conducted north of Sydney with sulphur crested cockatoo and DeHavilland Canada Beaver accompaniment. Much has been written on high latitudes food but the residues receive less attention. After finding out about Antarctic sewage and sewerage I now understand why, but having done the yards it's only right that I put the information in your ears.2019-04-2947 minIce Coffee: the history of human activity in Antarctica079_Meanwhile_and_Andrew_Atkin_in_interviewThe world didn't stand still and await the outcomes of Wilkins' and Byrd's efforts with bated breath. This episode catches you up on Antarctic pertinent developments that the buzz caused by the aviators eclipsed. The episode also features an interview I recorded with Dr Andrew Atkin while I was in Sydney. Yes, if you get in touch and tell me you like the series there's a chance I could turn up in your home, drink your coffee, eat your food and sleep on the spare bed, too, all while talking non-stop about Antarctica. You never know your luck.2019-04-2648 minIce Coffee: the history of human activity in Antarctica078_Victor_SerovVictor and I spent time in the Zodiacs around the Antarctic Peninsula in late 2018. This unassuming man quickly demonstrated a tremendous experience in and love of Antarctica and cherished the opportunities our work offered him. I sat down with Victor to record a brief history of his Antarctic career after one of the presentations he gave to our team. This episode comprises that interview and audio from another of the presentations he gave, detailing his experiences at Vostok Station, the most remote and coldest of the permanent human presences in Antarctica. Vostok will feature in its own episode as t...2019-04-231h 22Ice Coffee: the history of human activity in Antarctica077_1929_coda...Byrd and Wilkins are done in Antarctica for the 1920s and head north, leaving many loose ends in the snow next to the dog corpses. With the depression changing the playing field it would fall to the primo fund raisers and the independently wealthy to pick those loose ends up in the 1930s but I'll get to that after covering some Australian and Norwegian 1929 action and knocking out some interviews I picked up in my travels through the austral summer. Victor the vostoknicchi coming your way in episode 078.2019-03-191h 00Ice Coffee: the history of human activity in Antarctica076_UpdatesSome news and a correction.2019-02-0604 minIce Coffee: the history of human activity in Antarctica075_Byrd_and_Wilkins_1929Wilkins returns to the arena, negating the worth of the winter spent at Little America. Byrd gets his pole flight and drunk.2019-02-031h 01Ice Coffee: the history of human activity in Antarctica074_Little_America_mid_winter_toastSly grogging among a large company of over winterers makes Byrd's winter on The Barrier a very different experience to that of previous expeditions. I set up a paypal account for anyone who wants to support the series. You can flick me some bucks for books, hosting services and travel expenses at https://www.paypal.me/icecoffeepodcast2019-01-0156 minIce Coffee: the history of human activity in Antarctica073_Little_America_1928_part_twoByrd gets on my nerves ninety years ago.2018-12-091h 02Ice Coffee: the history of human activity in Antarctica072_1928_part_1The first of the on site recordings for this Austral summer, episode 072 examines the preparations made to finally take aviation south and the echoes of Scott and Amundsen that resonate through the stories of Byrd and Wilkins. 2018-11-1456 minIce Coffee: the history of human activity in Antarctica071_ANARE_Club_part_3The final full episode arising from my trip to Hobart. Ron Hann, Peter Reid and Rob Nash speak about their time in Antarctica and I bloviate about my favourite podcasts. Ah, narrowcasting, you path to digression, you. I'm hoping the next time you'll hear from me I'll be speaking about November 1928 events at Deception Island at Deception Island in November 2018.2018-10-021h 00Ice Coffee: the history of human activity in Antarctica070_ANARE_Club_Part_twoThe second tranche of interviews from my time at the Australian Antarctic Festival in Hobart. Barry Becker, Denise Alan and Trevor Luff discuss their time with ANARE and I look forward to seeing Dr Brewin in December. 2018-09-301h 02Ice Coffee: the history of human activity in Antarctica069_Whaling_updateA look at practical, political and ecological developments arising as the whaling fleet, largely comprising Norwegian vessels and crews, set about the business of ridding the Southern Ocean of those pesky cetaceans. I'm none too fond of the booze culture of my home nation, the other nations I've lived, and Antarctic bases, but Nicholas Johnson's legacy warrants light, so I recorded one of the articles missing from the resurrected Big Dead Place website for inclusion in this episode. 2018-09-301h 28Ice Coffee: the history of human activity in Antarctica068_ANARE_Club_part_oneFour of the interviews I recorded at the 2018 Australian Antarctic Festival in Hobart. Bob Tompkins, Joe Johnson, Ian Toohill and John Gillies share some fo their experiences in the south and Dave Davies rounds the episode out with some Samuel Taylor Coleridge.2018-09-111h 17Ice Coffee: the history of human activity in Antarctica067_Arctic_Aviation_Part_ThreeBringing to a close the trilogy of Arctic aviation episodes, this episode ties up loose ends sufficient to fully set the aviation scene for the first flights in Antarctica. I've really enjoyed putting these episodes together. Recent Tasmania adventures get some sizzle but the content won't reflect my time in Hobart until later this month.2018-09-011h 02Ice Coffee: the history of human activity in Antarctica066_Polar_aviation_part_twoFlying in the Arctic posed a dodgy prospect but faint heart never ended up dead on a tundra. 2018-08-011h 02Ice Coffee: the history of human activity in Antarctica065_Polar_aviation_part_oneWith aircraft offering opportunities to keep the feet dry and singalling a possible end to the miseries of sledging in all its forms, key players were keen to get flying. Efforts in the north require some attention as the experiences in the Arctic shaped the approach those key players took when they brought flying machines south.2018-07-1355 minIce Coffee: the history of human activity in Antarctica064_Fingeewulf2018-06-3004 minIce Coffee: the history of human activity in Antarctica063_QuestSir Ernest makes his final alive foray to South Georgia before making two further Atlantic voyages while dead. 2018-06-301h 03Ice Coffee: the history of human activity in AntarcticaHubert WilkinsWith Sir Hubert Wilkins set to take a prominent role in several episodes I sat down for coffee and a chat with Jeff Maynard, who knows more about Australia's forgotten polar explorer than I know about most of my family.2018-06-2040 minIce Coffee: the history of human activity in Antarctica061_Lester_and_BagshaweBoom! Two episodes in quick succession. Weren't expecting that, were you? I was too excited about sharing the story of Lester and Bagshawe to wait a month to get this out and so trebled the five buck monthly outlay on the hosting service to service my need to let you know about the two and the dogs. The most disarmingly charming chapter in Antarctic history. Enjoy.2018-06-0453 minIce Coffee: the history of human activity in Antarctica060_Antartica_war_and_its_wakeMany Antarctic veterans served in the First World War. This episode I outline the military service of several of those veterans who will make return appearances in the south. The Great War also affected the political landscape of Antarctica and that gets some attention, too. How long's it been since I published a short episode? You'll be halfway through some task or errand and you'll hear me making the house keeping announcements, but don't freak out. You haven't gone blank or nodded out I'm just keeping things in their lane as much as I can. Like...2018-06-0117 minIce Coffee: the history of human activity in Antarctica059_ITAE_closerThe various parties of the ITAE come in out of the cold and most of them immediately head off to war. 2018-05-0457 minIce Coffee: the history of human activity in AntarcticaThe Boat JourneyFrank Worsley knocks it out of the park, navigating across eight hundred nautical miles of open ocean with four sextant shots. Tom Crean breaks through thin ice for the final time in our saga. Shackleton tries to get back to Elephant Island and the fourth time's the charm.2018-04-031h 13Ice Coffee: the history of human activity in Antarctica057_Boat_outta_WeddellThe Endurance sinks. Plans form, change, re-form, change again, get discarded, get reinstated and re-form after changing. Hoosh is the only constant.2018-03-1752 minIce Coffee: the history of human activity in Antarctica056_Into_the_Weddell_SeaSir Ernest Shackleton returns to Antarctica, this time in the Weddell Sea, where the two preceding voyages got stuck. Guess what happens. Go on, guess.2018-02-2050 minIce Coffee: the history of human activity in Antarctica055_GeologistsPresent day geologists offer their perspectives on the Antarctic Peninsula and I record lots of the bow pushing through loose pack because it's mesmerising.2018-01-0312 min
Ice Coffee: the history of human activity in Antarctica054_Ross_Sea_Party_Part_TwoThe Ross Ice Barrier claims its final victim of the Heroic Age as Joyce, Richards and Wild struggle to get the depot party back to safety, then McMurdo Sound takes two more lives when a gamble on the weather goes against Mackintosh and Hayward.2018-01-0148 minIce Coffee: the history of human activity in Antarctica053_Ross_Sea_Party_Part_oneShackleton's depot laying party head to the Ross Sea and fight to get food and fuel to the foot of the Beardmore. Part one of a two parter recounting one of the most harrowing chapters to arise in the heroic era.2017-12-2755 minIce Coffee: the history of human activity in Antarctica052_Mixed_BagHubert Wilkins makes his first appearance in the Ice Coffee narrative, albeit as a supporting character in someone else's nightmare in the Arctic, and I give you the good oil on sticking to tablets and behavioural responses to motion mediated nausea. The first episode recorded in Antarctica. Muy excitamento. Many spanglish. 2017-11-2755 minIce Coffee: the history of human activity in Antarctica051_AAE_Wind_upI've got a few tidbits left to add about the Australasian Antarctic Expedition, and Mawson will be back in the narrative before you know it, but this ties up some loose ends and resolves the cliff hanger from the end of episode 050.2017-10-2450 minIce Coffee: the history of human activity in AntarcticaCape Dension daysThe Cape Denison denizens get their science on and prepare for the spring sledging carnival. The brown stuff gets closer to the whizzy-bladey thing.2017-09-2944 minIce Coffee: the history of human activity in Antarctica049_Mawson_MacquarieDouglas Mawson gets a lot done in just twelve months.2017-08-2753 minIce Coffee: the history of human activity in AntarcticaHeading to AntarcticaI've been offered work in Antarctica and urgently need to renew some certs and get my teeth fixed and get a seafarer's medical and plane tickets and some coffee. If you've paid all your bills and put some money aside for a rainy day and donated to some charities and had your fill of the caviar and lobster, please consider flicking a few bucks my way. Music, soundscapes and broad horizons lie in the offing, so take care and appreciate your coffee. https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/falling-southward-fund#/2017-07-2703 minIce Coffee: the history of human activity in Antarctica047_FilchnerPrussian Army lieutenant Wilhelm Filchner led Germany's second expedition in the early 20th century. While the government stayed largely hands off the expedition committee put their oar in enough to see der Deutschland sail under a syphilitic commander whose antics placed everyone's lives in danger and gave us a really good example of the sort of problems split leadership can cause in a high latitudes project. Suspected suicide, suspected fake appendicitis and very definite mania and toastiness characterised Filchner's time in the south.2017-07-1550 minIce Coffee: the history of human activity in Antarctica046_Laborastory_William_Speirs_BruceIn April 2017 I reprised my take on William Speirs Bruce's role in our present day understanding of Antarctica at the Spotted Mallard. The audience were teh awesomes so I let them eat cake.2017-06-0615 minIce Coffee: the history of human activity in Antarctica045_The_Norwegian_and_the_PoleDogs make all the difference in getting to the South Pole and back. With Amundsen's triumph, no-one would ever bother going to the Pole agai... Hey. Wait. Why are people still heading overland to the pole? Have they not heard of aircraft? Do they not heed the reports that the pole is cold and that the view is boring? Turns out being first at the pole was only the first in a long string of polar firsts to follow in the next century, and I'm expecting a pogo-stick based expedition to be announced a...2017-06-0635 minIce Coffee: the history of human activity in Antarctica044_AmundsenRoald Amundsen returns to the narrative and takes pole position, showing the world what you can achieve if you don't give a stuff about science or people. 2017-05-3150 minIce Coffee: the history of human activity in Antarctica043_What_not_to_not_wearWhat's this? Three episodes in quick succession? Blame the hosting service download counter. I'm now obsessed with topping last month's total downloads. This was easy when I only had two and a dog listening but now I have to release more episodes to scratch that itch. Expect shorter and shorter episodes until I'm editing single words and releasing them. Anyhoo, this one explains some clothing terms and concepts which warranted more attention than I was giving them.2017-04-0314 minIce Coffee: the history of human activity in Antarctica042_ShiraseJapan comes in out of the cold and heads back out into the cold again. Nobu Shirase - an explorer of honour and determination, now available in ship form. 2017-04-0336 minIce Coffee: the history of human activity in Antarctica041_Pemmican_WTF?Pemmican and sledging biscuit have received several mentions in the series and it's high time I let you in on what I'm on about.2017-03-3107 minIce Coffee: the history of human activity in Antarctica040_The_BAE_comes_to_an_endThe Eastern Party make their dogged way back to Cape Evans while Atkinson led teams onto the barrier to look for evidence of the pole party. The Terra Nova arrives and the BAE heads home.2017-03-0147 minIce Coffee: the history of human activity in Antarctica039_BAE_Eastern_PartyScott's 3IC, Lt. Victor Campbell, fares poorly on every front except the important one. Little came of the BAE's Eastern Party's efforts in terms of geology, geography, biology, but everyone survived the challenging circumstances that British decorum and crook weather placed them in. Oops. Spoilers. Don't read this until you've listened to episode 040.2017-02-1154 minIce Coffee: the history of human activity in Antarctica038_Terra_Nova_Southern_PartyDammit - it happened again. This story always ends the same way. All of the driving forces behind Scott's polar ambition push him to his death. Poor weather, broken tractors, crap ponies, leaky fuel cans, crevasse fields - lots of things contributed to the tragedy in the physical sense but the expectations placed on Captain Robert Falcon Scott by his nation, his mentors and his peers did their part, too.2017-01-2847 min
Ice Coffee: the history of human activity in Antarctica037_Terra_Nova_DepotScott leads his team south while Amundsen and Mawson keep his clockwork wound up tight. Stormy seas, pack ice and a four way split in the transport preparations frustrate efforts to meld scientific, geographic and historical goals.2016-12-2848 min
Ice Coffee: the history of human activity in Antarctica036_Ice_DivingI'm sick of 2016. A friend just died for stupid reasons and my extended family and many friends are facing life in the USA under president Donald Trump and his cabinet of elite racists. I really have not been in the mood to read about noble suffering under the Victorian model of manliness and my notes about Scott's death on his return from the pole came to a grinding halt about two weeks ago. Here's a Frankenstein's episode stop gap comprising essays from the past about ice diving and contrasting Scott Base and McMurdo Station. I'll get ba...2016-11-3033 minIce Coffee: the history of human activity in Antarctica035_Terra_Nova_BAE_2A dark clockwork comprising duty, ambition and hurt pride winds up Captain Scott and sets him on his path back to Antarctica.2016-10-1834 minIce Coffee: the history of human activity in Antarctica034_I_am_whalingAt the start of the twentieth century whaling in the Southern Ocean was on the uptick. The players and mechanisms in play held considerable sway in geographic outcomes, with claims and counter claims taking on a new urgency once the parties operating in the south had some oil in the game.2016-10-0215 minIce Coffee: the history of human activity in Antarctica033_Upstairs_DownstairsWith just seven minutes up my data storage sleeve and some expeditions featuring weird relationships between officers and men in the offing, this seems an opportune time to map the boundary between the commissioned and the other ranks in the Victorian era and its immediate aftermath.2016-09-2807 minIce Coffee: the history of human activity in Antarctica032_Charcot_Pourqouis_Pas?Charcot leads his second Antarctic expedition aboard a new ship with a new engine. What could possibly go wrong? More groundings, more whimsy and more coastline explored. Well done those Frenchmen.2016-09-1346 minIce Coffee: the history of human activity in Antarctica031_Shackleton_Nimrod_BAE_Philip_SamartzisErnest Shackleton heads south in a dodgy ship, short on funds and with a flea in his ear from Scott, but manages to get a lot done and get everyone home safely. Lots of firsts but the south pole remains unclaimed and, with two teams alleging they made it to the north pole, becomes even more alluring. Douglas Mawson, Aenaes Mackintosh and John King Davis make their Antarctic entrances while Frank Wild and Ernest Joyce make their second forays south. Professor Philip Samartzis of the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology becomes the first artist in...2016-08-311h 31Ice Coffee: the history of human activity in Antarctica030_Photography_Sledging_Maladies_Jacinda_Amey Photography, sledging, hypothermia, frostbite and snow blindness have been getting a lot of mentions in episodes addressing the heroic age and I thought it high time these things be given some attention, as they’re not leaving the narrative anytime soon and I don’t want anyone left in the dark regarding photo-keratitis. Dr Jacinda Amey is one of New Zealand’s hardest case people and I was privileged to spend time with her at Scott Base in 2005. Another Radio Tuna interview that never went anywhere is resurrected. 2016-08-3143 minIce Coffee: the history of human activity in Antarctica029_Charcot_Francais_Craig_FranklinJean Baptiste Charcot heads south, in yet another ship named after a place, looking for adventure, science and Swedes. Good food, good wine and inadequate heating and propulsion characterised life aboard the Francais but the French got a lot done, showed their mettle in a miserable display of hard as nailsness, and came home with all hands. Professor Craig Franklin first came on my radar in an interview with Richard Fidler. His range of research interests includes but is far from limited to the physiology of ice fish. He spoke to me about his work below th...2016-08-1632 minIce Coffee: the history of human activity in Antarctica028_Scott_DiscoveryRobert Falcon Scott makes his first but far from his last appearance in the series and a two year voyage to McMurdo Sound. Much sledging. Very scurvy. Sir Clements Markham continues to kick downhill to have his way but the back of his bullying breaks when someone take his prophecies of doom at face value. Wilson, Shackleton, Crean, Frank Wild, Taffy Evans, Lashly and Joyce make their Ice Coffee debuts appearances while Louis Bernacchi is back for an encore. I struggled to keep this episode to a reasonable time, as I knew I would. So m...2016-08-031h 04Ice Coffee: the history of human activity in Antarctica027_Bruce_and_the_SNAEWilliam Spiers Bruce showed the world what a team could achieve if they ignored the south pole and got on with some science. Under his guidance the Scottish National Antarctic Expedition established the longest continually occupied meteorological station and discovered large numbers of Antarctic marine species but what I like most about the Scot is how much he got on Sir Clements Markhams' nerves.2016-07-1427 minIce Coffee: the history of human activity in Antarctica026_NordenskjoldNever heard of Nordenskjold? You have now, and he's pretty darn spiffy. Likely the reason Nordenskjold isn't better known is that Shackleton and Mawson's later tales of survival against stacked odds drew attention away from the challenges faced and bettered by the Swedes who sailed to the Antarctic aboard the Antarctic. Carl Anton Larsen makes a repeat appearance, reprising his role as competent Norwegian ice pilot. I'm all outta coffee and counting down the minutes until resupp.2016-07-0125 min