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Best of ExplorersWeb 2012 Awards: Aleks Gamme, To the Pole and Back

Posted: Dec 27, 2012 03:26 am EST

He was the dark horse in a celebrity packed anniversary season. Even Aussie Cas and Jonesy, out on the same mission, were surprised to find the low key Norwegian scrambling around Punta Arenas with an idea similar to theirs.

Once on the ice, Gamme (and Wilson) made little noise compared to others backed by media teams blowing their horn. Except for short stories dispatched over Contact, Aleks mostly went about his business.

He placed out depots on the way; used no kites, no animals, no engines, no tracks and no planes with resupplies. The hardest way to reach the pole was not enough for the Norwegian; once there he turned around and ran back to the coast.

Cas and Jonesy struggled some days behind. But instead of a tight race for the finish line, on arrival Aleks stopped and pitched his tent, waiting for the Aussies to ski the last bit together and jointly claim the longest polar unsupported trip yet.

The surprising end cost him a supreme world record but had the entire polar community jump to their feet in unanimous acclaim. In 2012, Norwegian Aleks Gamme made one of the six best stories at ExplorersWeb.

They were strong, fast and broke new frontiers. More importantly, they showed heart and sportsmanship. In 2012 six expeditions made waves at ExplorersWeb. This countdown serves to remember them.

Previous:

Best of ExplorersWeb Awards 2004-2011

Related:

ExWeb interview with Aleks Gamme, final: "Norwegians seem a bit stuck on skis and polar travel"

Interview with Aleks Gamme: "The pole was a Cartman-moment"

Antarctica world (and sportsmanship) record: Aleks Gamme crosses finish line with Cas & Jonesy

Antarctica update: Gamme holding at Hercules Inlet, Sebastian and Eric traverse done

Antarctica world (and sportsmanship) record: Aleks Gamme crosses finish line with Cas & Jonesy.

Antarctica Grand Finale: Records and Sportsmanship

Antarctica: Scott's moment of truth, Helen Skelton's hoax, and a few real World Records
#Polar #Stats #Review #topstory




Aleksander Gamme did the longest polar unsupported trip yet, and showed great heart in the end.
Image by Aleksander Gamme courtesy Aleksander Gamme, SOURCE
Meet GUS - Giant Ugly Spider. "People steal oxygen bottles from high camps on Everest, so I was worried about my caches and put an unknown specie of giant leap spiders to guard them," Aleks explained. "It worked!"
courtesy Aleksander Gamme, SOURCE
Gamme's companion and only support.
courtesy Aleksander Gamme, SOURCE
(Aleks left, no flag). His decision cost him a supreme world record but had the entire polar community jump to their feet in unanimous acclaim.
courtesy Aleksander Gamme, SOURCE
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