Gareth Brauteseth

The story begins to unfold

Posted on 24. Jan, 2011 by gareth in Blog, Places

Steph Husson climbing in Antarctica

So, I am finally back from a long stint on the ice.

Wow, an amazing experience of sheer vastness. If anyone asks me to describe Antarctica that would be it- VAST!!!

Everything is just impressive down there.

The Nunatak across the glacier from our camp was VAST, the high Polar Plateau was Vast, the view from the South Pole was VAST, the emperor penguins were VAST and the drinking ability of our neighbours in Queen Maud land was also vast.

It was an experience that will never be forgotten and over the next few weeks I will be bringing a few of the characters to life here on my blog.

The picture I have included above is just a quick sneak peak of our surroundings. Steph Husson climbing a pitch over a frozen lake with a 300m icefall in the background.

This was our playground!!!

South Africans-Alive with Adventure

Posted on 02. Jan, 2011 by gareth in Blog, People

My time In Antarctica is coming to an end, in ten days I will be boarding the Ilyusion and flying back to the Land of possibility the land that beats to its own pulse, Africa, and at the very tip our rainbow nation South Africa-MZANSI.

It has been an incredible trip and there have been some amazing experiences that I will definitely share in the coming days and weeks. I have come out of this foray on the ice once again feeling the spirit of adventure.

South Africa is alive with adventurers, some plan for months an execute first time solo descents of rivers, some fly for the first time of the 7 summits, some swim at the top of the world and some don their suits and head out to work.

I see this light burning in every African and it makes me proud.

2010 was a great year for the adventuring spirit, millions of us donned the gold and green of Bafana Bafana and waltzed down to a stadium, a TV screen or just a radio. Tshabala adventured his foot onto the side of a leather ball which found the back of the net that opened up the goals, voices and hearts of the World Cup. Lewis Pugh adventured to a high altitude lake and into a Speedo to show just what global warming is making possible and it is scary that it is a reality. My sister adventured back home after far too long a stay in Europe. Ryan Sandes adventured his way to victory in the desert races. Mike Horn is rounding the world on Pangaea.

We have had a good year!

With adventure life is real, and with life being real death also crops its nasty head.

I read today, bundled up in an Antarctic cabin, of the tragedy earlier in December on the Lukuga River in the Congo. Hendrik Coetzee, living to the beat of his heart was tragically killed by a crocodile while guiding an expedition. Thoughts and prayers to Hendrik’s friends family and everyone that was influenced by such a spirit.

The reality of adventure eventually comes calling, but I urge all of you to find that flame of adventure inside of you today, and feed it with some fuel and let it grow until we can see it sparkling in your eyes.

“We look at the dawn and it’s an African dawn, We feel how we feel because we are African Born”

Check List complete for the trip to Antarctica

Posted on 29. Oct, 2010 by gareth in Blog, Product

The Check List of kit has come together.

If any of you are planning on going south, consider this checklist to keep warm and always remember layers. I board the Ilyusion Il-76 on Tuesday Nov 2 at 11pm, in shorts and T-Shirt which is perfect for long lazy days in Cape Town in November.

In 1 Bag I will have-

• Thermal Pants
• Thermal Top
• Fleece Pants
• T-shirt
• Long Sleeve Shirt
• Fleece Top
• Goretex Trousers
• Goretex Jacket
• 4 Pairs of Ski Socks
• Down Insulated Jacket
• 3 pairs of gloves
• Neck Gator
• Beanie- a warm one
• Goggles
• Polarised Sunglasses
• Baffin Boots
• Tekkies (Trainers-we call them Tekkies in South Africa)
• SPF 100 Sunblock
• Toothbrush
• Tooth Paste
• Nail Clippers
• Camera
• Deodorant
• Diary
• Pen
• Laptop
• Humour
• Books- Good Ones, Cry the beloved country James Bond etc.

So, if you planning to travel to South, this is what you should pack. If there is something else, please let me know…