Antarctica Expedition Research Articles

Psychological aspects of the longest, solo, unsupported one-way polar ski expedition in Antarctica by a female adventurer

IntroductionAntarctic expeditions present exceptional physiological and mental challenges. Research data are lacking on psychological aspects of such endeavours. The aim of our study is to provide data on changes in...

Australian Black summer smoke signal on Antarctic aerosol collected between New Zealand and the Ross sea

Open biomass burning (BB) events are a well-known primary aerosol source, resulting in the emission of significant amount of gaseous and particulate matter and affecting Earth's radiation budget. The 2019–2020 summer, known as “Australian Black Summer”, showed exceptional duration and intensity of seasonal wildfires, triggered by high temperatures and severe droughts. Since increasing megafires are predicted due to expected climate changes, it is critical to study the impact of BB aerosol on a large scale and evaluate related transport processes. In this study, five aerosol samples (total suspended particles with a diameter >1 μm) were collected during the XXXV Italian Expedition in Antarctica on board of the R/V Laura Bassi from 6th of January to February 16, 2020, along the sailing route from Lyttelton harbor (New Zealand) to Terra Nova Bay (Antarctica). Levoglucosan and its isomers have been analyzed as markers of BB, together with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), sucrose and alcohol sugars. Ionic species and carboxylic acids have been analyzed to support the identification of aerosol sources and its aging. Results showed high levoglucosan concentrations (325–1266 pg m−3) during the campaign, suggesting the widespread presence of smoke in the region, because of huge wildfire releases. Backward trajectories indicated the presence of long-range atmospheric transport from South America, probably carrying wildfires plume, in agreement with literature. Regional sources have been suggested for PAHs, particularly for 3–4 rings' compounds; monosaccharides, sucrose, arabitol, and mannitol were related to marine and biogenic contributions. In a warming climate scenario, more frequent and extensive wildfire episodes are expected in Australia, potentially altering albedo, aerosol radiative properties, and cloud interactions. Therefore, it is crucial to strengthens the investigations on the regional climatic effects of these events in Antarctica.

DIGITISING SENSITIVE HERITAGE MONUMENTS IN ANTARCTICA

Abstract. During the Antarctica expedition CHAQ2020, several cultural heritage sites – remains from the Swedish South Polar Expedition (1901–1903) – were documented using a range of different techniques and technologies. These physical monuments and environments are for all intents and purposes unavailable for most researchers due to their remote location and are also threatened by the effects of climate change. Hence, the deployed documentation techniques and technologies were selected both as a consequence of the inherently difficult conditions in Antarctica, where their reliance, durability, and speed were key considerations, but also for their perceived ability to document the unique and fragile environment. The documentation was carried out with the double intention of both allowing for observations in situ through processes of analytical drawings and data capture, but also capturing the environment as broadly and deeply as possible, in essence making a copy of it open for studies of unknown unknowns, that could serve as a source material for research questions still undefined. Hence, with the documentation of the winter station on Snow Hill Island as a case study, and with a perspective on documentation as a method through which to process, preserve, and disseminate information, this article serves to critically detail, compare, and evaluate the digital techniques and technologies that the expedition deployed to capture architectural elements and spatial contexts, and the data that could be obtained through these.

Sleep impairment and altered pattern of circadian biomarkers during a long-term Antarctic summer camp

Antarctic expeditions include isolation and exposure to cold and extreme photoperiods (with continuous natural light during summer) that may influence psychophysiological responses modulated by luminosity and sleep. We assessed changes in night sleep patterns by actigraphy, salivary biomarkers, and perceptual variables in seven participants in the following time points along a 50-day camping expedition in Antarctica (Nelson Island): Pre-Field (i.e., on the ship before camp), Field-1, Field-2, Field-3, Field-4 (from 1st to 10th, 11th to 20th, 21st to 35th and 36th to 50th days in camp, respectively), and Post-Field (on the ship after camp). We also characterized mood states, daytime sleepiness, and sleep quality by questionnaires. Staying in an Antarctic camp reduced sleep efficiency (5.2%) and increased the number of awakenings and wakefulness after sleep onset (51.8% and 67.1%, respectively). Furthermore, transient increases in time in bed (16.5%) and sleep onset latency (4.8 ± 4.0 min, from Pre- to Field-3) was observed. These changes were accompanied by an altered pattern of the emerging circadian marker β-Arrestin-1 and a trend to reduce nocturnal melatonin [57.1%; P = 0.066, with large effect size (ES) from Pre-Field to Field-2 (ES = 1.2) and Field-3 (ES = 1.2)]. All changes returned to Pre-Field values during the Post-Field. The volunteers reported sleep-related physical complaints (feeling of cold and pain, discomfort to breathe, and cough or loud snoring), excessive daytime sleepiness, and reduced vigor during the camp. Thus, a 50-day camp alters neuroendocrine regulation and induces physical discomfort, which may explain the impaired sleep pattern and the consequent daytime sleepiness and mood changes.

ANTARKTİKA SEFERLERİNDE ARAŞTIRMA GEMİLERİNİN KARBON EMİSYONLARININ İSTATİSTİKSEL YAKLAŞIMLA BELİRLENMESİ

Antarktika'da yapılan çalışmaların büyük çoğunluğu araştırma gemileri tarafından sağlanmaktadır. Bununla birlikte, araştırma gemilerinden kaynaklanan karbon emisyonlarının çevresel etkisine ilişkin veriler çok sınırlıdır. Bu çalışmada istatistiksel yöntemle iki farklı senaryo geliştirilerek Antarktika’da bilimsel amaçlı seferler yapan gemilerin emisyonlarının belirlenmesi ve daha sonra azaltılması için farklı yöntemlerin önerilmesi hedeflenmektedir. Araştırma gemisi ve uçakların yakıt tüketimi bu senaryolara göre hesaplandıktan sonra, literatürde yer alan emisyon faktörleri kullanılarak her senaryo için tüm kirletici gazların emisyon miktarları tahmin edilmiştir. İlk senaryoda, Avrupa'dan Antarktika'nın batısına sadece deniz yolu ile bilimsel seferler yapıldığı varsayılarak emisyon hesaplamaları yapılmıştır. İkinci senaryoda ise, aynı bölgeye hava yolu ile deniz yolu entegre bir şekilde kullanıldığı varsayılarak hesaplama yapılmıştır. Yalnızca deniz yolu kullanılan birinci senaryoda toplam 2143 ton CO2 emisyonu hesaplanırken, bunun %60’ının açık deniz seyrinden, %38’inin demirde beklemeden ve %2’sinin ise buzlu sularda seyirden kaynaklandığı saptanmıştır. Araştırma seferinin havayolu ile entegre edildiği ikinci senaryoda ise 1218 ton CO2 emisyonu hesaplanmış olup, burada emisyonun %66’sı demirde beklemeden, %21’i uçuştan, %10 açık deniz seyrinden ve %3’ü buzlu sularda seyirden kaynaklanmaktadır. Hesaplamalar, havayolu ile araştırma gemisinin birlikte kullanımının bu çalışma kapsamında emisyonları %57 oranında azaltabileceğini göstermektedir. Sonuç olarak, bu çalışma, Antarktika'ya coğrafi olarak yakın olmayan ülkelerin araştırma gemilerini doğrudan Antarktika seferleri için göndermek yerine hava ve deniz yolunu birlikte kullanmaları durumunda karbon emisyonlarının Antarktika çevresi üzerindeki etkilerinin azalabileceğini göstermektedir.

Wintertime Simulations Induce Changes in the Structure, Diversity and Function of Antarctic Sea Ice-Associated Microbial Communities

Antarctic sea-ice is exposed to a wide range of environmental conditions during its annual existence; however, there is very little information describing the change in sea-ice-associated microbial communities (SIMCOs) during the changing seasons. It is well known that during the solar seasons, SIMCOs play an important role in the polar carbon-cycle, by increasing the total photosynthetic primary production of the South Ocean and participating in the remineralization of phosphates and nitrogen. What remains poorly understood is the dynamic of SIMCO populations and their ecological contribution to carbon and nutrient cycling throughout the entire annual life of Antarctic sea-ice, especially in winter. Sea ice at this time of the year is an extreme environment, characterized by complete darkness (which stops photosynthesis), extremely low temperatures in its upper horizons (down to −45 °C) and high salinity (up to 150–250 psu) in its brine inclusions, where SIMCOs thrive. Without a permanent station, wintering expeditions in Antarctica are technically difficult; therefore, in this study, the process of autumn freezing was modelled under laboratory conditions, and the resulting ‘young ice’ was further incubated in cold and darkness for one month. The ice formation experiment was primarily designed to reproduce two critical conditions: (i) total darkness, causing the photosynthesis to cease, and (ii) the presence of a large amount of algae-derived organic matter. As expected, in the absence of photosynthesis, the activity of aerobic heterotrophs quickly created micro-oxic conditions, which caused the emergence of new players, namely facultative anaerobic and anaerobic microorganisms. Following this finding, we can state that Antarctic pack-ice and its surrounding ambient (under-ice seawater and platelet ice) are likely to be very dynamic and can quickly respond to environmental changes caused by the seasonal fluctuations. Given the size of Antarctic pack-ice, even in complete darkness and cessation of photosynthesis, its ecosystem appears to remain active, continuing to participate in global carbon-and-sulfur cycling under harsh conditions.

Diesel in Antarctica and a Bibliometric Study on Its Indigenous Microorganisms as Remediation Agent.

Diesel acts as a main energy source to complement human activities in Antarctica. However, the increased expedition in Antarctica has threatened the environment as well as its living organisms. While more efforts on the use of renewable energy are being done, most activities in Antarctica still depend heavily on the use of diesel. Diesel contaminants in their natural state are known to be persistent, complex and toxic. The low temperature in Antarctica worsens these issues, making pollutants more significantly toxic to their environment and indigenous organisms. A bibliometric analysis had demonstrated a gradual increase in the number of studies on the microbial hydrocarbon remediation in Antarctica over the year. It was also found that these studies were dominated by those that used bacteria as remediating agents, whereas very little focus was given on fungi and microalgae. This review presents a summary of the collective and past understanding to the current findings of Antarctic microbial enzymatic degradation of hydrocarbons as well as its genotypic adaptation to the extreme low temperature.

Characterization of black carbon aerosols over Indian Antarctic station, Maitri and identification of potential source areas

Black carbon measurements at Maitri, Antarctica during XXXVIII Antarctica expedition and found 82 ng m−3 and Patagonia is a definitive BC origin in addition to the day-to-day station related activities.

Influence of the polar light cycle on seasonal dynamics of an Antarctic lake microbial community

BackgroundCold environments dominate the Earth’s biosphere and microbial activity drives ecosystem processes thereby contributing greatly to global biogeochemical cycles. Polar environments differ to all other cold environments by experiencing 24-h sunlight in summer and no sunlight in winter. The Vestfold Hills in East Antarctica contains hundreds of lakes that have evolved from a marine origin only 3000–7000 years ago. Ace Lake is a meromictic (stratified) lake from this region that has been intensively studied since the 1970s. Here, a total of 120 metagenomes representing a seasonal cycle and four summers spanning a 10-year period were analyzed to determine the effects of the polar light cycle on microbial-driven nutrient cycles.ResultsThe lake system is characterized by complex sulfur and hydrogen cycling, especially in the anoxic layers, with multiple mechanisms for the breakdown of biopolymers present throughout the water column. The two most abundant taxa are phototrophs (green sulfur bacteria and cyanobacteria) that are highly influenced by the seasonal availability of sunlight. The extent of the Chlorobium biomass thriving at the interface in summer was captured in underwater video footage. The Chlorobium abundance dropped from up to 83% in summer to 6% in winter and 1% in spring, before rebounding to high levels. Predicted Chlorobium viruses and cyanophage were also abundant, but their levels did not negatively correlate with their hosts.ConclusionOver-wintering expeditions in Antarctica are logistically challenging, meaning insight into winter processes has been inferred from limited data. Here, we found that in contrast to chemolithoautotrophic carbon fixation potential of Southern Ocean Thaumarchaeota, this marine-derived lake evolved a reliance on photosynthesis. While viruses associated with phototrophs also have high seasonal abundance, the negative impact of viral infection on host growth appeared to be limited. The microbial community as a whole appears to have developed a capacity to generate biomass and remineralize nutrients, sufficient to sustain itself between two rounds of sunlight-driven summer-activity. In addition, this unique metagenome dataset provides considerable opportunity for future interrogation of eukaryotes and their viruses, abundant uncharacterized taxa (i.e. dark matter), and for testing hypotheses about endemic species in polar aquatic ecosystems.3rEAa4a8EPvdQSJ1TDqSyzVideo

Logos on Everest: Commercial Sponsorship of American Expeditions, 1950–2000

In the 1950s, outdoor retailer Eddie Bauer donated down jackets to American mountaineers embarking on climbing expeditions in the Himalayas. In the 1990s, chemical manufacturer W. L. Gore & Associates donated both goods and $2 million to an expedition in Antarctica. The funds dedicated to sponsorship by the end of the twentieth century reflect a shift in how companies saw expeditions as useful to their marketing goals. This article uses two archives previously unexplored by historians that offer an unprecedented chance to compare sponsorship relationships in a single industry across decades. Commercial sponsorship of American expeditions and athletes has undergone three dramatic changes since 1950, and these shifts help explain how sponsorship as a form of marketing became so popular. Sponsorship contracts shifted from vague to specific as a result of decades of unsatisfying results for corporate sponsors. Sponsored athletes became business partners and began taking an active role in promoting the companies that provided them cash or donations in-kind. Finally, companies developed strategies for leveraging their sponsorship deals. The changing landscape of the business of expeditions ultimately reveals how the most long-lasting legacies of these extreme adventures happened far from the trail and much closer to company boardrooms, sponsorship managers’ offices and retail stores where consumers learned to engage with the narratives companies and athletes had crafted together.

PAVLO STEFANOVICH VORONOV — OUTSTANDING POLAR GEOLOGIST (to the 100th anniversary of birth)

The article is dedicated to the outstanding geologist-polar explorer of the USSR, an outstanding naturalist, doctor of geological and mineralogical sciences, Professor Pavel Voronov in the light of 100th anniversary of his birth celebration. The main stages of the scientist’s life, his achievements in studying the geology of a lot of regions of the Arctic Ocean are considered. The contribution of the scientist to the research of geology, tectonics, geography, geomorphology and glaciology of the southern hemisphere of our planet was especially noted. In the 40th-50th years of the last century P.S. Voronov participated in the work of the first and second Russian expeditions in Antarctica. The scientist carried out reconnaissance geological and geomorphological studies of the observatory area, the Bunger oasis, based on hydrographic measurements from the board of the expeditionary vessel «Ob» and analysis of the configuration of the Antarctic coast, for the first time in the world, he established the existence of coastal faults located around East Antarctica. Numerous flights on IL-12 aircraft allowed P.S. Voronov to explore the mountain ranges of Antarctica along the Antarctic Circle. He clarified the position of the Denman glacier and carried out comprehensive geological, geomorphological and tectonic studies in Antarctica. On various issues of geology, geomorphology, glaciology and tectonics of Antarctica, he published more than 60 scientific papers, many of which are pioneering and have retained their relevance to the present day. Professor P.S. Voronov is widely known in the former USSR and abroad for his research in the field of space and geodynamics, tectonics and planetary geomorphology of the Earth’s continents and sea areas. Scientist has written more than 250 scientific works, including 12 monographs. His main works reveal questions about the patterns of morphometry of the Earth’s global relief, the role of the Earth’s rotational forces, the principles and role of shear tectonics in the structure of the Earth’s lithospheres and terrestrial planets. In 2004, the Cambridge International Biographical Center introduced the name of P.S. Voronov to the collection «Living Legends».

Changes in haematological parameters during a summer expedition in Antarctica

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of extreme climatic conditions and a long stay in isolation on levels of three haematological parameters in the polar expedition participants. This article describes changes in erythrocyte count, hemoglobin and transferrin levels measured on the 9th Czech Antarctic Scientific Expedition during the period of the Antarctic summer. A total of 15 sera samples were collected shortly before the expedition, the second sampling was performed halfway through the stay and the third at the very end of the expedition stationed at the Czech Research Station of J. G. Mendel. The erythrocyte count and the levels of transferrin were significantly increased in between all three sample collections (with p-value < 0.01). A statistically significant increase in hemoglobin levels was only detected between the first and the final sampling (p

Polash Sannigrahi$, T N Satyaprabha†, Shripad PatilΨ

Polash Sannigrahi$, T N Satyaprabha†, Shripad PatilΨ

CHALLENGES IN OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE OF ANTARCTICA GROUND STATION FOR EARTH OBSERVATION SATELLITES

Abstract. Remote sensing and Geographical Information System (GIS) through Earth Observation (EO) Satellites have become most important tools for many of the societal applications of day-to-day life, during the past few decades of the 21st century, and this need is rapidly increasing. Presently, EO payload (PLD) data from Polar Orbiting Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) Satellite Missions is received at the Integrated Multi-mission Ground segment for Earth Observation Satellites (IMGEOS) at NRSC, Hyderabad, India. But at this geographical location, only four out of fourteen orbits data can be acquired from each of the polar satellites. These polar satellite orbits converge at poles, hence establishing a ground station at Polar Regions has an advantage of acquiring data from ten to twelve orbits.To increase the capability, a data reception Ground Station and Communication facility was established by ISRO at Bharati Station, Antarctica, located at 69° South and 76° East, in 2012–2013 (Austral Summer). This station is maintained for flawless operations and smooth flow of IRS Satellites EO data from Antarctica, by three Scientists/Engineers from ISRO, who overwinter at Antarctica, along with other Expedition members, by clearing the pre-requisites for an Antarctica Expedition. While this location is suitable to establish a Ground Station, the local conditions are a challenge to be faced (when established then, and now) to operate and maintain it 24 × 7 throughout the year.

XP-Antarctik Expedition: The Effect of a Month-Long Expedition in Antarctica on Physiological Performance

Antarctica is a challenging habitat for humans. A group of 6 explorers (3 women and 3 men) participated in an expedition in Antarctica. The objective was to observe the physiological acclimatization of the explorers using the following strategies: physical preparation, highcaloric nutritional intake, and the latest physiological monitoring and outdoor equipment. Anthropometric measures (dual x-ray absorptiometry), specific maximal aerobic test, maximal aerobic running speed test, submaximal aerobic cold testing, strength tests (grip strength, leg press and chin up), and endurance tests (bar suspension and chair position) were conducted pre- and post-expedition. Due to the sample size, a paired t-test was used for normally distributed data and non-parametric (Wilcoxon) to compare values pre- and post-expedition. Effect sizes are presented as Cohen’s d. The lean mass for the women was significantly higher after the expedition (45.4 ± 4.4 vs. 47.1 ± 4.1 kg; p = 0.040, d = 1.86); however, no significant difference was observed for the men (66.7 ± 7.3 vs. 66.0 ± 5.7 kg; p = 0.581, d = 0.11). Pre- and post-expedition values were significantly different for the specific maximal aerobic test, where the VO2peak was 40.8 ± 4.2 vs. 46.9 ± 7.4 ml/kg/min, respectively (p = 0.027, d = 1.01), but no significant difference was observed for the other aerobic tests. The muscular testing did not change significantly, except for the left leg one maximal repetition (295 ± 110 vs. 364 ± 135 lb, pre- and post-expedition respectively, p = 0.031, d = -0.56). The overall preparation for the expedition appears to be a key aspect in order to countermeasure the physical ability decay during an Antarctica expedition. However, further studies will need to be developed to discern the importance of the preparation components.

Human physiological and metabolic responses to an attempted winter crossing of Antarctica: the effects of prolonged hypobaric hypoxia.

An insufficient supply of oxygen to the tissues (hypoxia), as is experienced upon high‐altitude exposure, elicits physiological acclimatization mechanisms alongside metabolic remodeling. Details of the integrative adaptive processes in response to chronic hypobaric hypoxic exposure remain to be sufficiently investigated. In this small applied field study, subjects (n = 5, male, age 28–54 years) undertook a 40 week Antarctica expedition in the winter months, which included 24 weeks residing above 2500 m. Measurements taken pre‐ and postexpedition revealed alterations to glucose and fatty acid resonances within the serum metabolic profile, a 7.8 (±3.6)% increase in respiratory exchange ratio measured during incremental exercise (area under curve, P > 0.01, mean ± SD) and a 2.1(±0.8) % decrease in fat tissue (P < 0.05) postexpedition. This was accompanied by an 11.6 (±1.9) % increase (P > 0.001) in VO2 max corrected to % lean mass postexpedition. In addition, spine bone mineral density and lung function measures were identified as novel parameters of interest. This study provides, an in‐depth characterization of the responses to chronic hypobaric hypoxic exposure in one of the most hostile environments on Earth.

Monitoring of marine environment and exploration opportunities in Indian and Southern ocean during Antarctica expedition

Monitoring of marine environment and exploration opportunities in Indian and Southern ocean during Antarctica expedition

Ice crystal precipitation at Dome C site (East Antarctica)

For the first time, falling ice crystals were collected on glass slides covered with a thin layer of 2% formvar in chloroform at the Dome Concordia site (Dome C), Antarctica. Samplings were performed in the framework of the 27th Italian Antarctica expedition of the Italian National Program for Research in Antarctica in the period 21 February–6 August 2012. Events of clear-sky precipitations and precipitations from clouds were considered and the replicas obtained were examined under Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Several shapes of ice crystals were identified, including “diamond dust” (plates, pyramids, hollow and solid columns), and crystal aggregates varying in complexity. Single events often contained both small (10μm to 50μm) and large (hundreds of microns) crystals, suggesting that crystals can form simultaneously near the ground (height of a few hundred metres) and at higher layers (height of thousands of metres). Images of sampled crystal replicas showed that single bullets are not produced separately, but by the disintegration of combinations of bullets. Rimed ice crystals were absent in the Dome C samples, i.e. the only mode of crystal growth was water vapour diffusion. On considering the aerosol in the sampled crystals, we reached the conclusion that inertial impaction, interception and Brownian motion were insufficient to explain the scavenged aerosol. We therefore presume that phoretic forces play a role in scavenging during the crystal growth process.

Satellite constellation design for telecommunication in Antarctica

Summary This paper addresses the problem of designing a small satellite constellation suitable for communications in Antarctica. This study has been motivated by the increasing international interests in having permanent bases in Antarctica to perform experiments in physics, atmospheric sciences, geology, and biology to name a few key areas. The existing and planned scientific expeditions in Antarctica require continuous and reliable communication services, especially during emergencies. Geostationary Earth orbit satellites do not cover this high latitude adequately, and constellations using circular orbits would require too many satellites to provide continuous regional coverage, thus increasing cost prohibitively. A three-satellite constellation using elliptical orbits is proposed to address this issue. The critical inclination has been selected to predominantly keep the satellites over Antarctica, where the satellites will dwell most of the time. This configuration has been obtained by using the two-dimensional lattice flower constellation design theory: a minimum parameter design methodology that enforces all three satellites in the same trajectory as seen from the Earth rotating frame. This aspect provides the continuous coverage necessary for reliable communications using only a small number of satellites. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Physical Adaptation During An Expedition In Antarctica

PURPOSE: Antarctica is a non-human land that challenges the human body whenever someone ventures there and requires important physical and nutritional preparation. METHODS: A group of 6 explorers (3 women and 3 men; 25 ± 4 years old) participated in an expedition in complete autonomy for 30 days in Antarctica. The objective was to observe the physiological adaptation of the explorers in this extreme environment following physical preparation, high caloric nutritional input, and mineral supplements. Anthropometric measures (DXA), and a specific aerobic power assessment, a maximal aerobic test, a grip strength and muscle strength endurance tests (suspension bar) were conducted before and after the expedition in the laboratory at UQAM. An analysis by paired samples t-test was used to compare pre- and post expedition. RESULTS: Pre- VS post- expedition measurements were significantly differentPre- VS post- expedition measurements were significantly different (p<0.05) for %body fat (17.1 ± 7.9 VS 15.0 ± 10,5 and 25.7 ± 6.7 VS 24.6 ± 6.3 % fat for men and women, respectively; t=3,9), but not for lean mass (62.9 ± 4.8 VS 63.3 ± 4.6 and 45.4 ± 4.4 VS 53.3 ± 4.1 kg; t=-0.3 for men and women, respectively). Pre-post expedition was significantly different for the specific VO2peak test (40 ± 3 VS 51 ± 9 ml/kg/min for men and 38 ± 2 VS 42 ± 4 ml/kg/min; t=-2.89 for women), but not for the VO2peak of the aerobic maximal test (43 ± 5 VS 47 ± 9 ml/kg/min for men and 42 ± 5 VS 44 ± 5 ml/kg/min; t=-1.3 for women). The grip strength and suspension bar tests did not change significantly and for the grip strength was 126 ± 8 VS 115 ± 14 kg for men and 78 ± 12 VS 75 ± 17 kg for women; t=0.8 while for the suspension bar test was 73 ± 10 VS 61 ± 20 seconds for men and 37 ± 17 VS 55 ± 47 seconds for women; t=-0.8, before and after the expedition, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The nutrition strategy and the physical preparation strategy adopted appear to be key aspects during an expedition in an extreme environment to countermeasure weight lost and physical ability decay, and permit to improve the specific aerobic capacity by the high volume intensity of the expedition without undernourishment.