Nearly 100 years ago, explorer Ernest Shackleton managed to pull off a legendary Antarctic rescue. Now, a team of devoted adventurers have set sail in an effort to reenact his epic survival journey in a replica lifeboat (pictured).
Shackleton's epic journey —
Nearly 100 years ago, explorer Ernest Shackleton managed to pull off a legendary Antarctic rescue. Now, a team of devoted adventurers have set sail in an effort to reenact his epic survival journey in a replica lifeboat (pictured).
Courtesy Shackleton Epic
This original picture from 1916 shows Ernest Shackleton and his five man crew embarking on the 800 nautical mile rescue mission across the Antarctic after losing their ship in the ice.
Shackleton's epic journey —
This original picture from 1916 shows Ernest Shackleton and his five man crew embarking on the 800 nautical mile rescue mission across the Antarctic after losing their ship in the ice.
Courtesy Royal Geographic Society
Ernest Shackleton, pictured, was an Anglo-Irish polar explorer and one of the principal figures of a period in the early 20th century known as the "Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration".
Shackleton's epic journey —
Ernest Shackleton, pictured, was an Anglo-Irish polar explorer and one of the principal figures of a period in the early 20th century known as the "Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration".
Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Another original photo shows Shackleton's vast ship <em>Endurance</em> trapped lop-sided in the ice on October 19, 1915.
Shackleton's epic journey —
Another original photo shows Shackleton's vast ship Endurance trapped lop-sided in the ice on October 19, 1915.
Courtesy Frank Hurley
When <em>Endurance</em> finally sank, Shackleton and his men ended up on the remote and uninhabited Elephant Island having spent two years adrift in the Antarctic.
Shackleton's epic journey —
When Endurance finally sank, Shackleton and his men ended up on the remote and uninhabited Elephant Island having spent two years adrift in the Antarctic.
Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Crew member Frank Hurley documented the whole journey with his camera. This is a photo of one of the sledge dogs, Lupid.
Shackleton's epic journey —
Crew member Frank Hurley documented the whole journey with his camera. This is a photo of one of the sledge dogs, Lupid.
Courtesy Frank Hurley
British-Australian adventurer and environmental scientist Tim Jarvis has just embarked on attempt to recreate Shackleton's survival journey using almost exactly the same provisions.
Shackleton's epic journey —
British-Australian adventurer and environmental scientist Tim Jarvis has just embarked on attempt to recreate Shackleton's survival journey using almost exactly the same provisions.
Courtesy Anthony McKee
Remaining true to the original journey means that the crew will sleep in reindeer skin sleeping bags, use a sextant for celestial navigation and even drink Shackleton's favored whiskey.
Shackleton's epic journey —
Remaining true to the original journey means that the crew will sleep in reindeer skin sleeping bags, use a sextant for celestial navigation and even drink Shackleton's favored whiskey.
Courtesy Christopher Bissell
The crew are sailing in an exact replica of the original boat. Here boat-builder Nat Wilson (right) is seen orchestrating the early stages of construction, which took two years to complete.
Shackleton's epic journey —
The crew are sailing in an exact replica of the original boat. Here boat-builder Nat Wilson (right) is seen orchestrating the early stages of construction, which took two years to complete.
Courtesy Wilson IBTC
The replica is called the <em>Alexandra Shackleton</em>, named after Ernest Shackleton's granddaughter. Here the crew is seen testing the waters in Admiralty Bay, on the southern coast of Antarctic King George Island.
Shackleton's epic journey —
The replica is called the Alexandra Shackleton, named after Ernest Shackleton's granddaughter. Here the crew is seen testing the waters in Admiralty Bay, on the southern coast of Antarctic King George Island.
Courtesy Paul Larsen
The trip is in part to honor the centenary of Shackleton's journey, but also to highlight the effect of the climate change on the Antarctic.
Shackleton's epic journey —
The trip is in part to honor the centenary of Shackleton's journey, but also to highlight the effect of the climate change on the Antarctic.
Courtesy Tim Jarvis
Expedition leader Tim Jarvis has journeyed across Antarctica before, but thinks this is the hardest challenge yet.
Shackleton's epic journey —
Expedition leader Tim Jarvis has journeyed across Antarctica before, but thinks this is the hardest challenge yet.
Courtesy Malcolm McDonald
Jarvis and his five crew mates huddle in full 1920s explorer apparel for an appropriately sepia-hued photo taken on their way to Elephant Island.
Shackleton's epic journey —
Jarvis and his five crew mates huddle in full 1920s explorer apparel for an appropriately sepia-hued photo taken on their way to Elephant Island.
Courtesy Shackleton Epic