Latest News
23.11.09
Team to plant Jamaican flag without Kim
An unexpected update today. The team will be carrying the Jamaican flag to the South Pole without Kim (Jamaica). You'll see that this information came from the team a couple of days ago. I hope you'll appreciate that we had to inform everyone in the appropriate order. Hear the news from Team Leader Felicity (UK) and Kim herself:
Felicity (UK)'s PodCast:
Link to Podcast
Felicity's PodCast in writing:
"Hello this is Felicity calling from the Kaspersky Lab Commonwealth Antarctic Expedition and it is Friday morning here in Antarctica.
Back on Monday we left on our mini expedition around Patriot Hills to prepare for the main expedition. On our second day out we had very difficult weather. We were skiing in very bad visibility and there was quite a lot of wind. That evening while we were putting up the tents Kim's hands unfortunately got very cold and the next morning she clearly had frost bite in the tips of her fingers.
Kim was sent back to Patriot Hills immediately to see the doctor there. And, fortunately, the frost bit is very minor in that it will heal. She won't have any permanent damage. But, unfortunately it does mean that there is no option for Kim to continue with the expedition as to refreeze that frostbite injury could cause really serious damage. So, unfortunately Kim is now waiting to go home.
The team is obviously extremely sad to say goobye to a team member so early on but Kim's experience has really served as a reminder to all of us how quickly Antarctica can cause damage and that there really are no second chances here.So, unfortunately she is now waiting to go home.
As Kim's waiting for a flight back to Chile, the rest of the team are focusing on preparations for the flight out to our start point which should happen in the next couple of days. The team really isn't the same without Kim but we'll obviously carry the Jamaican flag for her and hopefully plant it at the south pole on her behalf.
But at the moment we're just all really relieved that her injuries are going to completely recover and we just want her to get home now where she can be looked after by her family and friends."
Kim (Jamaica)'s PodCast:
Link to Podcast
Kim's PodCast in writing:
"Hi, this is Kim from Jamaica on the Kaspersky Lab Antarctica Expedition.
Updates: My mama says that these things come in threes, so we've had problems with two tents, and now we have the third: I have frostbite.
You know, it goes to show what kind of place Antarctica is. It's really tough and I have the blackened fingers to prove it. Any mistake will be paid with huge returns.
The doctor here has said that I cannot continue unless I'm willing to loose digits. I really wanted to get to the South Pole but that's not the sensible route at this point in time.
I will have to leave the expedition but I wish the best to my fellow expeditioners and colleagues. I know that they will reach the South Pole and, hopefully, in my honour can plant the Jamaican flag. I want to thank everyone for the support that I've got. I will continue to follow this expeditin because there is a story of a lot of sacrifice and courage. And a lot of ups and downs along the way.
Let's look forward to what Cyprus, Singapore, India, Brunei, the UK and New Zealand are going to show along the way. Of the kind of work myself as the Jamaican and even our Ghanian team member we have put in to get here. Alright?
See you soon. Bye."
Photo by Robert Hollingworth