News from HQ

The latest from the ice is that the team will not be ready to begin today. As much as a shame and a frustration that this is, the good news is that the weather is continuing to improve and the team has been able to spend much of the afternoon digging out the Ice Train and sorting out equipment. At the latest update, everything was back on the surface except a couple of fuel scoots which will b…

Status report sent direct to Operations HQ at 1223 GMT: “Things have taken a rapid turn for the better in the last few hours. Wind has dropped off and the sun has come out. We are currently digging the Ice Train out – its a big job. Cabooses are out as is the ISO and 2 x fuel scoots. The Belgian Lehmann is next but I’m not joking when I say you can’t see it and there is two metres of snow on to…

Wondered what Sir Ran’s hands looked like? Well wonder no more…

With the Ice Team getting on with their task at hand on the ice, Ran was today getting on with his task at hand – namely, his hand. After arriving safely in Cape Town this morning he was whisked away to an undisclosed medical facility for assessment and treatment. He is now recuperating in private until his return to the UK. Earlier today he released the following statement:”I have undergone a…

Dear All, Below is the official line on the latest from Antarctica. This is what is being sent to the media around the world right now. We will be keeping our Facebook page, Twitter feed and website up to date with all of these latest announcements, as well as additional blogs, images and footage, making this the place to visit for all the latest for expedition news and Ran’s journey home.

Thank you to all of our well-wishers on this difficult day, your continued support means a tremendous amount to the entire team both in Antarctica and in the UK. Sir Ranulph’s departure from the ice will be the first of no doubt many trials the Ice Team will have to surmount in coming months if they are to succeed in this epic challenge. They are a strong and experienced group, and those of us…

We regret to announce that Sir Ranulph Fiennes has developed a case of frostbite. The condition is such that he has very reluctantly decided with the support of the team doctor and in the interests of the success of the expedition and its associated aims, to withdraw from Antarctica while the possibility to do so still exists, before the onset of the Antarctic winter. This decision has not been…

I am sorry to annouce that the provisional event at the Royal Geographical Society on 20th March is not going to happen after all. Having put out the feelers to gauge interest it was decided by our Trustees that there was not a sufficient level to ensure that the full capacity of the RGS hall was filled. On behalf of everyone at Operations HQ and beyond who were looking forward to marking t…

Just to let you know that the Ice Train was unable to proceed today. The wind rose again during the night and this morning was 40+ kts with zero visibility. However, things have calmed down and tomorrow is looking more hopeful. On a separate note, the SA Agulhas is due to arrive back in Cape Town tomorrow night, or early Wednesday evening. We’ll keep you…