Introduction of Guest Speaker –President Mary introduced Rob Stimpson, an internationally published, award-winning photographer.  He has photographed for Ontario Tourism, Parks Canada, Ontario Parks, among others.  In 2012, he was nominated and accepted to the College of Fellows in the Royal Canadian Geographical Society.  He has contributed to numerous books.  His work hangs in the Canadian Canoe Museum, and other museums and park visitor centres.  He teaches photography part time at Sir Sandford Fleming College and since Covid-19, he operates a small gallery displaying his work.

 

Guest Speaker Rob Stimpson shared his screen.  His topic was “Chasing Ernie – Centenary of Ernest Shackleton’s Trip to Antarctica in 1914” and the Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition 1914-1916.

 

He showed many stunning photographs of Antarctica, saying that although Alaska has massive amounts of ice, it is nothing compared to Antarctica.  The ancient Greeks realized in 350 B.C. that since there was land in the Arctic, that Antarctica would also be in existence. If the ice in Antarctica melted, the oceans of the world would rise 60 to 65 metres. 

 

    

 

Through pictures, Rob showed Ernest Shackleton’s 12,000 km journey from London, England to Antarctica.  He compared his ship to those of modern times. He noted that the ship, Europa, built in 1913 is still carrying passengers to this part of the world.  Ushuaia is the southernmost city in the world, roughly 1,100 km from the coast of Antarctica.

 

Ron showed pictures of penguins, who just seemed to pose for the camera.  There are approximately 300,000 penguins in this area, and sometimes there are so many packed in together, that it begs the question: how do the young ones know how to locate their parents?  Also in abundance are elephant seals, who grow up to 800 pounds and the male generally has a harem of about 20 females. There are also leopard seals and an abundance of birds.

 

The Southern Ocean is a vast, 35 million square km area, considered to be the last great wilderness.  Some storms in that area create waves of up to 50 feet.  Climate change has started to affect South Georgia area.  The Antarctica is a very mysterious place.

 

Ron recommended the book Endurance, by Alfred Lansing, as a must read, the story of Ernest Shackleton’s incredible voyage.

 

 

Corinne MacDonald hoped that Ron would put out a book and he said that he is working on it.

Peter V. noted that he, like speaker Ron, also went to Baffin Island.

Adrian complimented Ron on a great presentation

Hugh commented that in these voyages, many nationalities are all working together, and Ron agreed that he has worked with people from many countries together.

 

Vote of Thanks was moved by Dolores.