Union Glacier Camp

Union Glacier Camp
Antarctic seasonal base

Union Glacier Camp, December 2013.
Location of Union Glacier Camp in Antarctica
Union Glacier Camp

Location of Union Glacier Camp in Antarctica

Coordinates: 79°47′S 82°53′W / 79.783°S 82.883°W / -79.783; -82.883Coordinates: 79°47′S 82°53′W / 79.783°S 82.883°W / -79.783; -82.883
Location in Antarctica Heritage Range, Ellsworth Mountains, Union Glacier, Ellsworth Land
Operated by Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions
Named for Union Glacier
Elevation[1] 700 m (2,300 ft)
Population [1]
 • Total
  • Summer: 160
  • Winter: Nil
Type All year-round
Period Annual
Status Operational
Facilities[1]
  • Airstrip
  • Double occupancy tents
  • Two heated dining halls and living areas
  • Solar power
  • Iridium satellite phone service
  • Tented office/work space (by prior arrangement).
Website antarctic-logistics.com

The Union Glacier Camp is the only private seasonally occupied camp site located in Ellsworth Land in Antarctica. The camp is located in the Heritage Range, below the Ellsworth Mountains, on Union Glacier, that gives the camp its name.

Location and features

Map of Union Glacier.

The camp is operated by Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions LLC (ALE), a company that provides expedition support and tours to the interior of Antarctica.[2][3][4] The camp is situated near Union Glacier Blue-Ice Runway SCGC a rare, naturally-occurring, blue ice runway[5] 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. Union Glacier Camp replaced the earlier Patriot Hills Base Camp.

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.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Services". Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions LLC. 2016. Retrieved 11 July 2016.
  2. ↑ Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions
  3. ↑ Polar Conservation Organisation
  4. ↑ "No more Patriot Hills: ALE's new runway and camp; and additions to the South Pole list". Retrieved 2010-12-03.
  5. ↑ Initial environmental evaluation – development of blue-ice and compacted-snow runways, National Science Foundation Office of Polar Programs, April 9, 1993

External links


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