A gap year in Antarctica

Gap years in Antarctica

Ready for an Antarctic adventure? The “snowy desert” is the southernmost point of the planet and the choice of the most courageous Gappers. With a land mass greater than Europe and a population of zero, this vast continent is explorable only by the dedicated adventurer. Temperatures reach a maximum of -80 deg C, and virtually no plant-life survives here. Still determined to visit the most tranquil place on the planet? Read on.

GAP opportunities

Voyaging through this dramatic continent is surely the experience of a lifetime. It’s rightly popular as a GAP choice, particularly if you have a taste for adventure. Most gappers take an expedition to discover Antarctica, but it’s not cheap – package prices start at about £1800. For this price you’ll sail around the continent’s passages and take part in excursions on-foot, led by a team of scientists who will make your journey truly fascinating. Packages include all your meals and accommodation, so there are no unexpected expenses.

Some expeditions also include the Falkland Islands, Buenos Aires, and the South Shetlands. These longer expeditions are sometimes better value for money, as they include flights and additional relax time.

About Antarctica

Although some countries lay claim to different sections of the continent, Antarctica is widely accepted to be completely independent of any government. In 1959 global powers drew up a treaty to protect the continent from misuse and invasion. Military, whaling and mining activity is prohibited – in the twenty-first century, the only legitimate invaders are scientists.

Because of its isolation and extreme conditions, Antarctica was largely unexplored after its discovery in the nineteenth century – despite its scientific fascination. Today thousands of scientists and researchers from all over the world visit to study the continent, and several research stations are maintained.

Almost half of Antarctica is made up of ice shelf, floating in the ocean and subject to movement. Divided by two mountains, scattered with lakes and almost entirely covered in sheets of ice, the continent also lays claim to 70% of the world’s water. If it were to melt, the earth’s oceans would rise by an average of 200 foot.

But this inhospitable continent still radiates an irresistible attraction to human visitors. Although Antarctica’s official population is zero, researchers and scientists take extended stays all year round, and in the last century whalers and seal-hunters have set up camp on the continent too.

Here’s another thing to consider before you book. Just because it’s further south than the Arctic doesn’t make it warmer. Antarctica basks in a chilly climate of -80 deg C to -90 deg C all year round. The only creatures which survive in Antarctica are those which have evolved to adapt to the conditions: penguins, seals, and whales.

Why go to Antarctica?

• Study of this unique continent offers a wealth of fascination. Scientists embark on expeditions to analyse geological formations, oceanic life forms, astronomy, glacial forms, plate tectonics, and the ozone layer. In fact it was an Antarctic British team that, in 1985, discovered a hole in the ozone layer – with enormous implications.
• Runners visit Antarctica in their trainers as part of a seven-continent marathon. Sounds crazy, but the Ice Marathon was begun in 2005 by dedicated runners who wanted to cover every continent. It takes place in December and includes 13 miles on inland Antarctica – a real challenge!
• Environmental thrill-seekers will find plenty to marvel at, too. It’s here you’ll witness the best Aurora Australis (Southern lights), diamond dust (low clouds of ice crystal), and the sun dog – a burning ball that hounds the sun. How better to end your year of a lifetime?