A number of people have asked in recent weeks what it's like on the Amundsen. I can tell you it is an amazing ship. I believe she will be one of the stars of our film. She is majestic while being a work horse. She serves all the needs of the scientists while protecting all aboard and while on the ice. Since a picture is worth a thousand words we decided to put up a photo essay of the great Canadian Coast Guard Ice Cutter, Amundsen. Hopefully, this essay will demonstrate a slice of life aboard the great ship.
Life aboard the CCGS Amundsen - A Photo Essay
Friday, May 9, 2008
Saturday, April 5, 2008
4/4/08
Hello Friends,
We returned to the Amundsen April 3rd.
In addition to posting some new images the biggest change here – as you’ll see when you visit the site is there is light! Lots of light!! www.thearcticexpedition.com
We have been extremely busy having conversations with many organizations since the New Year - exploring relationships in many areas which can support and enhance The Arctic Expedition film.
We are in various stages of conversations and negotiations with several distributors around the world. We are also exploring a college tour - potentially visiting and screening the movie at as many as 100 colleges and universities.
Many colleges are already undertaking the commitment to make their campus “green”. One hundred Presidents of Universities around the country have signed agreements to meet certain “green” standards over the next several years. In most cases the initiatives were molded by student bodies.
We’re also in conversations with several large high school organizations to share the project with many of these young folks.
My personal ambition is to share as much of this project with young people as possible. They will be the civic and community leaders in a few years and carry the torch into the future.
We’re also in conversations with sponsors for the film and the college tour. So far, there are three leading contenders – in the apparel, automotive and technology industries.
To date, I have been mostly underwriting the cost of the project. To say this has been draining on the bank account would be an understatement! We’ve had a lot of conversations with a lot of various companies and I expect to announce certain partnerships by June 1.
I am constantly amazed by the support each and every one of you has given this project. I know many of you are very engaged with what we’re working to accomplish. From 100 emails originally sent to friends and family more than 72,000 folks have engaged with the site.
One last thing. Many of you have contacted me and asked if we have any Arctic Expedition merchandise. I’m happy to say in the next few weeks we will be selling really cool hats and T-shirts on the site.
5% of gross sales will go directly to environmental organizations we support and the remaining 95% will support the ongoing marketing of the film.
Many people don’t realize our current environmental issues don’t just impact pollution. These issues impact health, economies, water shortages and other life threatening challenges.
Thank you for your ongoing support. Please forward the site to a friend. Lets make this world a better, healthier place.
www.thearcticexpedition.com
Sincerely,
Anthony Christopher
We returned to the Amundsen April 3rd.
In addition to posting some new images the biggest change here – as you’ll see when you visit the site is there is light! Lots of light!! www.thearcticexpedition.com
We have been extremely busy having conversations with many organizations since the New Year - exploring relationships in many areas which can support and enhance The Arctic Expedition film.
We are in various stages of conversations and negotiations with several distributors around the world. We are also exploring a college tour - potentially visiting and screening the movie at as many as 100 colleges and universities.
Many colleges are already undertaking the commitment to make their campus “green”. One hundred Presidents of Universities around the country have signed agreements to meet certain “green” standards over the next several years. In most cases the initiatives were molded by student bodies.
We’re also in conversations with several large high school organizations to share the project with many of these young folks.
My personal ambition is to share as much of this project with young people as possible. They will be the civic and community leaders in a few years and carry the torch into the future.
We’re also in conversations with sponsors for the film and the college tour. So far, there are three leading contenders – in the apparel, automotive and technology industries.
To date, I have been mostly underwriting the cost of the project. To say this has been draining on the bank account would be an understatement! We’ve had a lot of conversations with a lot of various companies and I expect to announce certain partnerships by June 1.
I am constantly amazed by the support each and every one of you has given this project. I know many of you are very engaged with what we’re working to accomplish. From 100 emails originally sent to friends and family more than 72,000 folks have engaged with the site.
One last thing. Many of you have contacted me and asked if we have any Arctic Expedition merchandise. I’m happy to say in the next few weeks we will be selling really cool hats and T-shirts on the site.
5% of gross sales will go directly to environmental organizations we support and the remaining 95% will support the ongoing marketing of the film.
Many people don’t realize our current environmental issues don’t just impact pollution. These issues impact health, economies, water shortages and other life threatening challenges.
Thank you for your ongoing support. Please forward the site to a friend. Lets make this world a better, healthier place.
www.thearcticexpedition.com
Sincerely,
Anthony Christopher
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
3/18/08
Well, the second leg of our incredible journey is almost upon us. We will leave Southern California for the Arctic April 1st in order to be back on the Amundsen April 3rd.
Patrick and I are looking forward to our return North. This trip will allow us 12 hours a day of sunlight! When we were there in December we were limited to 2 hours of twilight a day.
Additionally, if conditions permit the group will build an ice camp which I believe will allow us greater opportunity to film wildlife. My personal goal is to film at least one polar bear!
The other element of the trip we’re looking forward to is the chance to work with a world-class team of underwater videographers. The arctic, above the ice, is an amazingly beautiful part of the world. Below the ice is stunning and I can’t wait to share these impending, profound images with you all.
Stay tuned and please share this site with friends and family. This leg will be even more visual than the last.
I would like to thank each and every one of you. This project is the most important of my career to date – because the information being gathered by the project’s scientists is so crucial.
Of all the surprises that have emerged from our journey this website is the most surprising to me personally. We built the site while we were on the Amundsen in December because our friends and family wanted to receive photos and info on our journey.
We built the site and sent out 100 emails sending the url to these folks – and as of today about 70,000 people have become engaged with the site!
I will give you a preview into the future. The scientific data being amassed through the Arctic Expedition project by 200 of the world’s top scientists and their staff will be some of the most critical environmental information delivered to the world community to date!
Please stay tuned and continue to pass the word!
Global Warming and Climate Change is having a devastating effect on our environment and weather patterns – but is also having severe economic, social and lack of water effects on millions and hundreds of millions of people around the globe.
On a basic, logistical note we are working feverishly to prepare for April 3rd. As you can imagine the preparation is a little more rigorous than if we were prepping to shoot Miami Beach.
In terms of what we learned from our last trip – we’ve made two minor yet vitally important changes. As most of you know from our previous blogs I had two very close encounters with frostbite in my hands.
For those of you heading to the arctic at some point or any sub zero region of the world I highly recommend Raber Glove Mens Arctica 3 Mitts. We bought them at http://www.sirmailorder.ca
Trevor, an Inuit guide from our last arctic trip loaned me an extra pair of his after my two extremely painful close encounters with frost bite - and I wouldn’t return to the top of the world without them. Further, for what they are these mitts are surprisingly reasonable compared to other extreme weather gloves and mitts. We paid $31.99 a pair plus shipping.
We also made another change and bought a pair of GI Wool Glove Liners at http://www.uscav.com These heavy wool glove liners cost a whopping $2.99 a pair plus shipping! (Probably the best investment I’ve ever made!)
Thanks for all your support and kind words over the last several months. I enjoy sharing this experience with all of you!
All the best,
Anthony Christopher
Patrick and I are looking forward to our return North. This trip will allow us 12 hours a day of sunlight! When we were there in December we were limited to 2 hours of twilight a day.
Additionally, if conditions permit the group will build an ice camp which I believe will allow us greater opportunity to film wildlife. My personal goal is to film at least one polar bear!
The other element of the trip we’re looking forward to is the chance to work with a world-class team of underwater videographers. The arctic, above the ice, is an amazingly beautiful part of the world. Below the ice is stunning and I can’t wait to share these impending, profound images with you all.
Stay tuned and please share this site with friends and family. This leg will be even more visual than the last.
I would like to thank each and every one of you. This project is the most important of my career to date – because the information being gathered by the project’s scientists is so crucial.
Of all the surprises that have emerged from our journey this website is the most surprising to me personally. We built the site while we were on the Amundsen in December because our friends and family wanted to receive photos and info on our journey.
We built the site and sent out 100 emails sending the url to these folks – and as of today about 70,000 people have become engaged with the site!
I will give you a preview into the future. The scientific data being amassed through the Arctic Expedition project by 200 of the world’s top scientists and their staff will be some of the most critical environmental information delivered to the world community to date!
Please stay tuned and continue to pass the word!
Global Warming and Climate Change is having a devastating effect on our environment and weather patterns – but is also having severe economic, social and lack of water effects on millions and hundreds of millions of people around the globe.
On a basic, logistical note we are working feverishly to prepare for April 3rd. As you can imagine the preparation is a little more rigorous than if we were prepping to shoot Miami Beach.
In terms of what we learned from our last trip – we’ve made two minor yet vitally important changes. As most of you know from our previous blogs I had two very close encounters with frostbite in my hands.
For those of you heading to the arctic at some point or any sub zero region of the world I highly recommend Raber Glove Mens Arctica 3 Mitts. We bought them at http://www.sirmailorder.ca
Trevor, an Inuit guide from our last arctic trip loaned me an extra pair of his after my two extremely painful close encounters with frost bite - and I wouldn’t return to the top of the world without them. Further, for what they are these mitts are surprisingly reasonable compared to other extreme weather gloves and mitts. We paid $31.99 a pair plus shipping.
We also made another change and bought a pair of GI Wool Glove Liners at http://www.uscav.com These heavy wool glove liners cost a whopping $2.99 a pair plus shipping! (Probably the best investment I’ve ever made!)
Thanks for all your support and kind words over the last several months. I enjoy sharing this experience with all of you!
All the best,
Anthony Christopher
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
12/26/07
Dear Friends,
I hope one and all is having a wonderful holiday season. We finally embarked on our long journey home from the arctic. Patrick headed to the Mid West to spend the holidays with family while I returned home to California.
Pat may write about his journey at some point but I want to share some thoughts regarding mine. As I mentioned in an earlier message we stopped in Winnipeg so I could meet with Dr. Barber and Dan Leitch. Dan has really helped me with logistics and other matters regarding our documenting the project. After many months on the phone and countless emails it was nice to finally meet Dan in the flesh!
That afternoon Pat and I went to the Winnipeg airport where I headed for the first leg of my trip home which required a stop in Minneapolis, where I ended up having a four hour-layover/delay.
I was pretty tired by the time I hopped on a plane for my next leg to Las Vegas. And that’s where it all went more wrong. My ultimate destination was Orange County Airport where, as it turns out, airplanes are not allowed to land or take off after 11PM.
I arrived in Las Vegas five minutes before this witching hour!
For the next ten hours I lounged around McCarran Airport for the most surreal experience I think I have ever “endured”.
I’ve enclosed some photos. Try to imagine the environment I had just come from in the arctic to the Las Vegas Airport where all night long the speaker system pumped Christmas and holiday music throughout the terminal while the large video screens constantly blared the entertainment fare at numerous casinos. Comedians, magicians, singers, game shows, topless revues and whatever else they could produce to bring visitors into their properties.
The hours went by at the speed of a crawling snail and by the time three or four o’clock in the morning came along I was ready to scream!
Seriously, it seemed like a bad Fellini movie!
Anyway, I finally made it home and promptly went to sleep for 11 hours!
Regardless of the challenges, hurdles and tribulations related to the project Pat and I agree – we can’t wait to get back to the arctic in April!
-A.C.
I hope one and all is having a wonderful holiday season. We finally embarked on our long journey home from the arctic. Patrick headed to the Mid West to spend the holidays with family while I returned home to California.
Pat may write about his journey at some point but I want to share some thoughts regarding mine. As I mentioned in an earlier message we stopped in Winnipeg so I could meet with Dr. Barber and Dan Leitch. Dan has really helped me with logistics and other matters regarding our documenting the project. After many months on the phone and countless emails it was nice to finally meet Dan in the flesh!
That afternoon Pat and I went to the Winnipeg airport where I headed for the first leg of my trip home which required a stop in Minneapolis, where I ended up having a four hour-layover/delay.
I was pretty tired by the time I hopped on a plane for my next leg to Las Vegas. And that’s where it all went more wrong. My ultimate destination was Orange County Airport where, as it turns out, airplanes are not allowed to land or take off after 11PM.
I arrived in Las Vegas five minutes before this witching hour!
For the next ten hours I lounged around McCarran Airport for the most surreal experience I think I have ever “endured”.
I’ve enclosed some photos. Try to imagine the environment I had just come from in the arctic to the Las Vegas Airport where all night long the speaker system pumped Christmas and holiday music throughout the terminal while the large video screens constantly blared the entertainment fare at numerous casinos. Comedians, magicians, singers, game shows, topless revues and whatever else they could produce to bring visitors into their properties.
The hours went by at the speed of a crawling snail and by the time three or four o’clock in the morning came along I was ready to scream!
Seriously, it seemed like a bad Fellini movie!
Anyway, I finally made it home and promptly went to sleep for 11 hours!
Regardless of the challenges, hurdles and tribulations related to the project Pat and I agree – we can’t wait to get back to the arctic in April!
-A.C.
Friday, December 21, 2007
12/21/07
Hi Friends,
Patrick and I began our journey home after an amazing three weeks on the Amundsen. Though, the Canadian Coast Guard is not part of the military as it is in the U.S., they still operate with a strict operational and honors code. I believe this is the reason whether we were on the ship or on the ice we never felt compromised or in danger.
The schedule to depart the ship was straightforward. Our luggage and gear had to be on deck 6:30am. Starting at 9am the first of 8 helicopter flights would begin taking us, crew and scientists to Sachs Harbour.
One hour later the first of four Twin Otters would take us to Inuvik where a Canadian North jet flew us to Winnipeg where we and one third of the plane disembarked while the remainder flew home to Quebec City.
I’m happy to report even though the logistics of moving so many folks with so much luggage, camera gear, science equipment, etc. was implemented without a glitch.
My first thought disembarking the plane in Winnipeg where the temperature was one degree Fahrenheit was it felt a little like Miami Beach – at least in comparison to where we came from!
I met with Dr. David Barber, the original founder and visionary of the CFL Project this morning before we head to the airport. Gary is a very nice, intelligent and interesting man. We will be on the Amundsen with him in April when he will be the Chief Scientist on board. Much of our film, “The Arctic Adventure” will be told through his eyes and experiences as well as Dr. Gary Stern and other scientists from around the globe.
We’ve added a few pictures of the last leg of this current journey. We will continue to update you on the project’s progress. In the meantime, Happy Holidays to you and yours!
Sincerely,
-A.C.
Patrick and I began our journey home after an amazing three weeks on the Amundsen. Though, the Canadian Coast Guard is not part of the military as it is in the U.S., they still operate with a strict operational and honors code. I believe this is the reason whether we were on the ship or on the ice we never felt compromised or in danger.
The schedule to depart the ship was straightforward. Our luggage and gear had to be on deck 6:30am. Starting at 9am the first of 8 helicopter flights would begin taking us, crew and scientists to Sachs Harbour.
One hour later the first of four Twin Otters would take us to Inuvik where a Canadian North jet flew us to Winnipeg where we and one third of the plane disembarked while the remainder flew home to Quebec City.
I’m happy to report even though the logistics of moving so many folks with so much luggage, camera gear, science equipment, etc. was implemented without a glitch.
My first thought disembarking the plane in Winnipeg where the temperature was one degree Fahrenheit was it felt a little like Miami Beach – at least in comparison to where we came from!
I met with Dr. David Barber, the original founder and visionary of the CFL Project this morning before we head to the airport. Gary is a very nice, intelligent and interesting man. We will be on the Amundsen with him in April when he will be the Chief Scientist on board. Much of our film, “The Arctic Adventure” will be told through his eyes and experiences as well as Dr. Gary Stern and other scientists from around the globe.
We’ve added a few pictures of the last leg of this current journey. We will continue to update you on the project’s progress. In the meantime, Happy Holidays to you and yours!
Sincerely,
-A.C.
Monday, December 17, 2007
12/17/07
Today was the first day we have moved in nearly a week. It was actually a little rough on the ship. Maybe it had been the lack of movement, or just that we had some fairly heavy snow for a couple of days that quickly transformed to more ice. Walking through the ship’s hallways today was a bit like trying to walk around your house during the middle of a California earthquake! We did get some good news as to why we are moving. We are working our way closer to Sachs Harbour so we can disembark by helicopter to catch several planes that will take us to Inuvik… and begin the rest of our journey home.
The downside to the ship cutting through the thick ice has eliminated our ability to shoot any footage that required audio. Due to the enormous power of the Amundsen, we can basically float on top of the ice or go through it with 6 huge diesel engines that produce tremendous power. The experience is like we are crushing cement with every piece of ice we power over or through.
We’re a few days from finishing the first leg of the project and have to film a handful of the remaining scientists on our schedule - so hopefully we’ll stay put once we get closer to Sachs Harbour.
We were originally planning to be picked up by Twin Otters on the ice but the pilots deemed it a little too dangerous. Now, the helicopters, which only fly six passengers at a time, will take about eight hours to shuttle all of us.
Overall, I am getting anxious to place my feet back on solid ground, but I am already starting to plan for our next leg. We will be heading back to the CCGS Amundsen in April of 2008, and I already can't wait! New crew, new scientists, and most importantly, new opportunities to shoot some great shots during a different season. The temperature will still be much colder than anything we have ever experienced in California, but judging from some of the things I was able to see here in the Arctic during the brief hours of daylight, I can only imagine what we will see and capture on our next voyage!
-P.E.
The downside to the ship cutting through the thick ice has eliminated our ability to shoot any footage that required audio. Due to the enormous power of the Amundsen, we can basically float on top of the ice or go through it with 6 huge diesel engines that produce tremendous power. The experience is like we are crushing cement with every piece of ice we power over or through.
We’re a few days from finishing the first leg of the project and have to film a handful of the remaining scientists on our schedule - so hopefully we’ll stay put once we get closer to Sachs Harbour.
We were originally planning to be picked up by Twin Otters on the ice but the pilots deemed it a little too dangerous. Now, the helicopters, which only fly six passengers at a time, will take about eight hours to shuttle all of us.
Overall, I am getting anxious to place my feet back on solid ground, but I am already starting to plan for our next leg. We will be heading back to the CCGS Amundsen in April of 2008, and I already can't wait! New crew, new scientists, and most importantly, new opportunities to shoot some great shots during a different season. The temperature will still be much colder than anything we have ever experienced in California, but judging from some of the things I was able to see here in the Arctic during the brief hours of daylight, I can only imagine what we will see and capture on our next voyage!
-P.E.
Sunday, December 16, 2007
12/16/07
Dear Friends,
I have a dear friend named Michael Najarian. Michael is a brilliant therapist and recently sent me an email that was extremely insightful and poignant. It sort of amazed me how he keyed into the dynamics of what’s happening on the ship and the interactions and psyche of my fellow crew and science friends.
Though, this information isn’t directly related to The Arctic Expedition or Climate Change or Global Warming, I’m taking a chance and share it with you in hopes that you will find it as interesting as I have.
I asked Michael if I might share his communication with you and he graciously agreed.
It follows below.
Sincerely,
AC
Tony,
I really meant it when I said thank you for sharing this with me because if I could, I would be right there with you trying to contribute to the psychology of what drives those doing the work, what happens to all on a daily basis and how the public may respond. When the pain is not oppressive, it is very difficult for any individual to respond. The heroic effort always comes from those willing to endure hardships and uncertainty because of their beliefs. The courage to face those who doubt and the brilliance required by all to present information in a way that puts their collective guts on the line in the face of so many in denial. You are surrounded by heroes and it must be a great feeling to wake up everyday and do precisely what you love.
The photos alone give me chills. The landscape is one thing but the facial expressions tell an incredible story of life, love and dedication. Watch the faces as they say the eyes are the window to the soul. I think you may find an extraordinary example of the true strength of humanity and what collective effort means as the relationships grow daily. What a tremendous opportunity to tell a story in a way that all of us just might hear all of you. I know you well enough to say that if anyone can convey the message it
will be through your lens. The people around you must be incredible.
All my best.
Michael
I have a dear friend named Michael Najarian. Michael is a brilliant therapist and recently sent me an email that was extremely insightful and poignant. It sort of amazed me how he keyed into the dynamics of what’s happening on the ship and the interactions and psyche of my fellow crew and science friends.
Though, this information isn’t directly related to The Arctic Expedition or Climate Change or Global Warming, I’m taking a chance and share it with you in hopes that you will find it as interesting as I have.
I asked Michael if I might share his communication with you and he graciously agreed.
It follows below.
Sincerely,
AC
Tony,
I really meant it when I said thank you for sharing this with me because if I could, I would be right there with you trying to contribute to the psychology of what drives those doing the work, what happens to all on a daily basis and how the public may respond. When the pain is not oppressive, it is very difficult for any individual to respond. The heroic effort always comes from those willing to endure hardships and uncertainty because of their beliefs. The courage to face those who doubt and the brilliance required by all to present information in a way that puts their collective guts on the line in the face of so many in denial. You are surrounded by heroes and it must be a great feeling to wake up everyday and do precisely what you love.
The photos alone give me chills. The landscape is one thing but the facial expressions tell an incredible story of life, love and dedication. Watch the faces as they say the eyes are the window to the soul. I think you may find an extraordinary example of the true strength of humanity and what collective effort means as the relationships grow daily. What a tremendous opportunity to tell a story in a way that all of us just might hear all of you. I know you well enough to say that if anyone can convey the message it
will be through your lens. The people around you must be incredible.
All my best.
Michael
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