Crossing Antarctica
by Will Steger
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Book Summary Information
Author: Will StegerEdition: Mass Market Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 1993-01-02
ISBN: 0440214602
Publisher: Laurel
Book Reviews of Crossing Antarctica
Book Review: It's a diary of a long-distance antarctic explorer
Summary: 3 Stars
When we read about explorers who planned an almost eight-month trip across 3700 miles of Antarctica we think of white-out conditions, super-cold temperatures, monotony and long, grueling hours basically doing the same thing day in, day out. That is exactly what Will Seger documents in this journal he maintained of his 1989-1990 trip across the 7th continent with five other people.
A French, Chinese, Russian, English and Japanese teammate made this quite an interesting international team, although the writer does not go into great details of their personalities. (He later admits that the language barrier kept them from knowing more about each other.) If there is one flaw to this book it's that the other team mates weren't portrayed in great detail. We only get short sketches of the other players.
From an armchair reader, nothing exciting truly happens. The sky is either blue or white. The dogs are either resting or running across ice-packed snow. Conversations are minimal and time alone excruciating. The most depressing event is the death of one of the dogs, but by the time that happens it is expected. And then later a female dog goes into heat and gets pregnant...
This book is still a good read because one thing Seger does well in this book is talk about the human psyche. What does he and his mates think about all these months? What does one do alone in a tent with wet gear around you? How do the dogs handle the "adventure?" How does one spend the time day in, day out in the middle of nowhere? What goes through one's mind? What is the one thing a human misses the most in such a desolate place? And what pieces of equipment should one never leave home without while on such an endeavor?
Yes, it got boring at times. The most exciting entries, besides the first and last day, was his entry from the South Pole. He did not give me a good feeling about the US National Science Foundation and their dictatorial treatment of any and all private expeditions on Antartica. He gave the Soviets and even Chinese government more credit for assisting them across the continent.
His observations on another adenture, Reinhold Messner, seems to be typical of many others who have met that Austrian. Messner is mentioned in several passages because Messner had anther expedition planned in Antartica at almost the same time. Although he was very diplomatic in his descriptions of the man, it's obvious that Messner had his own agenda.
Another negative vibe I got from the book is Segel's feelings toward Adventure Network, the company that originally contracted to assist them in their expedition. Granted, the company was fairly young and inexperienced in 1989, but I still wouldn't want to deal with that company today simply from what I read in this book. Neither Adventure Network nor the National Science Foundation were later mentioned in the epilgoue of this book.
I have great respect for people who complete such adventures. The time, money and personal sacrifices all six teammates undertook is quite admirable. I have no desire to follow them to the South Pole. I am quite happy hiking up 10,000' mountains and forest trails of the South and Northwest.
Don't expect much "Adventure" in this book. However, on a hot summer night this book will refresh your spirit and you'll be thankful you are not at the South Pole. But, for an explorer who made the Arctic regions his mantra, and who later became a great protector of the Poles, this is a good book to read and reflect on one of Earth's last pristine legacies.
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