Union Glacier Camp

Union Glacier Camp, December 2013
Map of Union Glacier.

Union Glacier Camp is the only private seasonally occupied camp in Antarctica. It is located in the Heritage Range, Ellsworth Mountains, on Union Glacier that gives it its name. It is operated by Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions LLC (ALE), a company that provides expedition support and tours to the interior of Antarctica.[1][2][3]

The camp is situated near Union Glacier Blue-Ice Runway SCGC a rare, naturally-occurring, blue ice runway[4] that allows wheeled jet cargo aircraft to land. Russian Ilyushin Il-76 aircraft regularly transport equipment and personnel to the camp.

From Union Glacier Camp transportation to the South Pole, Vinson Massif, Hercules Inlet and other locations is by Twin Otter and Basler BT-67 ski planes.

During the months of November to January, when the weather is the least hostile, jet charter flights are operated from Punta Arenas, Chile to the camp.

References

  1. ↑ Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions
  2. ↑ Polar Conservation Organisation
  3. ↑ "No more Patriot Hills: ALE’s new runway and camp; and additions to the South Pole list". Retrieved 2010-12-03.
  4. ↑ Initial environmental evaluation – development of blue-ice and compacted-snow runways, National Science Foundation Office of Polar Programs, April 9, 1993

External links

Coordinates: 79°47′S 82°53′W / 79.783°S 82.883°W