April 4, 2011
What's next ?...
Tyler finished his travels, but his adventure
is just beginning! ...
“After crossing the infamous Drake Passage, traveling around the treacherous Cape Horn and back up the Beagle Channel, the expedition team arrived safely back in the ‘real’ world. This entire experience was life changing and I can't wait to share it with all of you through presentations, slides, and videos… Now that we are back the real work begins. This is just the beginning.
I am so proud to be a part of a company that sees value in inspiring a corporate and people culture of sustainability. I received weeks of intense training during the trip on leadership, public speaking and sustainability principles. The expedition opened up business relationships from around the world and built connections I never dreamed of. I’ve already been asked to speak at a number of events and to participate in new business opportunities. I’m also excited about the presentation of our Remediation report at the next World Earth Summit in Rio, in 2012, raising Focus’ profile to a new level yet again.View pictures and video of Tyler’s Antarctic adventures in the Media gallery and see for yourself the scenic wonders of this southernmost location in the world!
Thanks for joining us on this trip of a lifetime! We hope you enjoyed your trip to Antarctica...
March 18, 2011
Day 16: Back from Antarctica
Friday, March 18, 2011
Today marks the end of our Antarctic journey… We’re back in Ushuaia, a location that mere days ago seemed wild and remote and is now cozily familiar in contrast to the isolation of Antarctica. We say our farewells all around and make our way to the airport with the 2041 Team Leaders who will assure your safe departure.
Watch for photos of the trip next week at and catch up on the details of Tyler’s exciting journey in his blog…
March 15, 2011
Day 13: King George Island
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
The largest island the South Shetland Islands of the Peninsula, King George Island is also the location of the 2041 E-Base, the first education station built in Antarctica of sustainable products and run on renewable energy. You will have a chance to visit the site of Robert Swan’s 2008 “E-Base Goes Live” mission where he successfully became the first person in Antarctic history to live for two weeks solely on renewable energy.
Time and weather permitting, there may be a final landing before heading back into the Drake Passage.
So much has happened over the past week… camping on ice, whale watching, hot springs and even wedding vows! Visit focus.ca/antarctica2011 to read Tyler’s blog and http://expedition.2041.com/2011/ for videos and photos posted by 2041.
(excerpt from the International Antarctic Expedition 2011 Brochure, courtesy 2041.com)
March 8, 2011
Day 7-12: The Antarctica Peninsula
Wednesday, March 9 – Monday, March 14, 2011
We made it!!! Yesterday we arrived at the Antarctica Peninsula. Depending on ice and weather conditions, the western coast of the Antarctic Peninsula is ours to explore. Our experienced leaders will use their local knowledge to design our voyage from day to day capitalizing on the best weather and ice conditions.
Once we arrive in the calmer waters of the Peninsula, we will make numerous shore landings in inflatable rubber boats called zodiacs. Cruising along spectacular ice shelves or following whales that are feeding near the surface, we will soon appreciate the distinct advantage of being on a small vessel, which gives everyone the opportunity to experience these very special close encounters with the environment.
Read Tyler’s first impressions as they approached Antarctica in his latest blog! Check out wherethey are on the map! And, read other team members’ interviews and watch footage of the trip at
2041 blogs.
(excerpt from the International Antarctic Expedition 2011 Brochure, courtesy 2041.com)
March 8, 2011
Day 5-6: The Drake Passage
Monday, March 7 – Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Cape Horn, the most southerly point of the Americas, has stimulated the imagination of mankind since Sir Francis Drake inadvertently circumnavigated it in 1580. Sometimes misty and grey, other times calm and clear, crossing the legendary Drake Passage is unforgettable - a milestone in any adventurer's personal travel history. Some of us will approach this historic crossing with more than a little trepidation. Despite its reputation, there are times when it is called the "Drake Lake"; at other times we have encountered rough crossings with large waves. Regardless, the size of the waves and the force of the gale winds will take on gigantic proportions when related to folks back home.
As we cross the Drake Passage, there will be a selection of multimedia lectures about Antarctica, the timing of which is dependent on safety and weather conditions. We will also learn about the wildlife, geology, history and geography of the Antarctic Peninsula from our onboard experts. We will be given IAATO guidelines for approaching the wildlife and begin to discuss the importance of renewable energy and how it plays a vital role in the preservation of Antarctica. A favorite pastime onboard is to stand at the stern watching the many seabirds, including majestic albatrosses and giant petrels, following our wake.
(excerpt from the International Antarctic Expedition 2011 Brochure, courtesy 2041.com)
March 7, 2011
Day 4: Departure for Antarctica
Sunday, March 6, 2011
We prepare for our departure today. You will have a few hours after lunch to go into town and do any final shopping, make calls home, etc. In the late afternoon we embark our ship the Sea Spirit. As you step aboard, you will realize just how far you have come - and the adventure has just begun! We enjoy our first dinner onboard after we attend the Antarctic safety briefing on the deck of the ship. It's time to start our voyage south!
(excerpt from the International Antarctic Expedition 2011 Brochure, courtesy 2041.com)
March 4, 2011
Day 2-3: Leadership on the Edge
Friday, March 4, 2011
The “Leadership on the Edge” program begins today with a “meet and greet” session and team introductions. You have the afternoon to get settled, purchase any necessary gear and relax.
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Today begins with a hike up the Martial Glacier on the mountain behind town. We will work together in teams to reach the top! Once we return to the hotel, we will regroup to review our teamwork on the mountain and continue with our Program…
Don’t forget to read Tyler’s blog and ask questions about the trip!
(excerpt from the International Antarctic Expedition 2011 Brochure, courtesy 2041.com)
March 3, 2011
Day 1: Ushuaia
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Your journey to Antarctica begins today! You will fly into Ushuaia, Argentina, the southernmost city in the world. This windy and desolate outpost is tucked into the Beagle Channel and surrounded by peaks and glaciers. You will be met at the airport by Robert Swan and his team leaders and taken to your hotel. We will stay three nights in our hotel high up on the mountain above town. Depending on your arrival time, the remainder of the day is yours to relax and get ready to begin your expedition. One of our 2041 Team Leaders will check your clothing and gear to ensure you have everything you need for your Antarctic journey.
(excerpt from the International Antarctic Expedition 2011 Brochure, courtesy 2041.com)
February 22, 2011
Safety Protocols
Regular briefings will be scheduled throughout the voyage to enable the Expedition Leader and Ship’s Staff to provide you with information about landings and itinerary changes. During regular recap sessions you are encouraged to share your experiences ashore.
To assist in providing a safe and healthful environment for team members, 2041 has established a Safety Program. This program is a top priority for 2041. The 2041 Team Leaders have the responsibility for implementing, administering, monitoring, and evaluating the safety program. Its success depends on the alertness and personal commitment of all.
All activities undertaken during the voyage carry little hazard but we need to be aware that we are visiting a potentially dangerous environment. The Expedition Leaders are responsible for the overall safety of the group while ashore, and the Captain of the Sea Spirit while we are onboard. However each Team member is responsible for his or her own personal safety and security, and as a team on ‘Expedition’, we need to also look out for each other at all times. There will be regular briefings and the crew and staff’s safety instructions should be carefully listened to and followed.
In the case of accidents that result in injury, regardless of how insignificant the injury may appear, Team Leaders and Team Members must immediately notify 2041’s Ship Safety Officer Adrian Cross. In addition, Team Leaders and Team Members must immediately report any unsafe conditions to the 2041’s Ship Safety Officer Adrian Cross.February 18, 2011
What is our mission?
Antarctica is cold, inhospitable and beautiful… It is the earth's 5th largest continent, measuring 14 million square kilometers (5.4 million square miles). The ice sheet that covers Antarctica is the largest body of fresh water on earth, containing about 91% of the world's ice and 70% of the world’s fresh water If Antarctica's ice sheets continue to melt at their current rate, it would raise the level of the world's oceans by approximately 20 feet.
Our international mission is to help protect Antarctica by sharing our unique experiences and knowledge about the fragile Antarctica environment with other Canadians and by implementing sustainable and renewable practices that will help improve our planet now and for future generations.
Tyler Barkhouse, Director Environmental & Geosciences at Focus says that "over time, Canadian arctic resources have been compromised. The resulting environmental clean-up efforts have required significant federal, territorial, and corporate funding. As a Canadian, an environmental engineer, and a father, I feel a responsibility to protect similar environments, like Antarctica.”
In the year 2041, the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty could potentially be modified or amended. The goal of “2041”, a company founded by polar explorer Robert Swan, leader of the International Antarctica Expedition 2011, is to promote the continued protection of the Antarctic Treaty so that the last great wilderness on earth is not compromised. For more information, please visit www.2041.com.
February 15, 2011
What do you wear?
Layering of clothing is the solution to maintaining comfortable and safe body temperatures in Antarctica.
Build up layers when it's cold: thermal jacket, fleece/warm shirt, wool sweater, fleece jacket, waterproof jacket. Remove layers to avoid sweating when you start getting hot. Here are some examples:
At the same time we want to make a difference in Antarctica by achieving tangible goals and creating a positive story that we can take home. To accomplish all this safely and to get the most out of this experience, we are going into Expedition Mode.
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1st Layer: 2nd Layer: 3rd Layer: 4th Layer: |
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February 11, 2011
Expedition Mode.
Imagine this! There is no other voyage quite like this as we head into these inhospitable waters. We are traveling into the world’s last great wilderness, remote from our normal everyday lives, to do something quite unique. On a practical level, we will work as a diverse team on a cooperative multinational project that helps us develop professionally and personally, and we’re going to have fun doing so.
At the same time we want to make a difference in Antarctica by achieving tangible goals and creating a positive story that we can take home. To accomplish all this safely and to get the most out of this experience, we are going into Expedition Mode.
What does this mean and how can we prepare for it?
We will be leaving our normal lives behind for about two weeks. We encourage team members to break contact with the outside world, mobile phones will be permanently out of range for the duration of the voyage, and although the ship is comfortable, we will be leaving all other home and work comforts behind. We will be traveling with flexible itineraries because this is the best way to make the most of the weather and ice conditions; we will have to work out where we go and when we go by fitting in with the powerful forces of nature. This is expedition travel into one of the most inhospitable places on earth.Safety is a priority in Antarctica. Expedition Mode means raising our awareness to our own and our team members’ safety. We are constantly on the lookout to challenges brought on by Mother Nature that may affect the team.
February 8, 2011
Think Global, Act Local.
Why is Focus involved in this expedition?
- Tyler Barkhouse, Director of Environment and Geosciences, will be writing an Environmental Closure Report for a recently cleaned up Russian Research Station in Antarctica.
- Tyler will also be developing a Remedial Action Plan for the cleanup of a large petroleum tank farm at the same
Russian Research Station. This could turn into a significant project for Focus. - This expedition gives Focus a platform to raise our profile, promote our services and to be seen as a proactive company.
- Focus aims to inform, engage and inspire people to take responsibility for their environment through recycling, renewable energy and sustainability.
"Our involvement takes our community investment in the lives of children to the next level – Focus is contributing to a momentous initiative that will have a direct and significant impact on building a sustainable future for our children's children and generations to come." – Angela Fong
"As Focus continues to grow and broaden its reach, both within North America and Internationally, so too should our commitment to giving back broaden to include activities that support and enhance the global community. The Antarctic expedition highlights our capabilities as well as solidifies our commitment to corporate social responsibility on a global scale." – Ron Hall
"This is an important initiative for Focus to enthusiastically support, as it reflects both our values and commitment to the future." – Dale Douglas
February 4, 2011
Welcome!
We are delighted to have you as an expedition member on our Antarctic Expedition.
Your journey begins in Ushuaia, Argentina, the southernmost city in the world. From there, our expedition to Antarctica takes place during the austral summer. Although it can be sunny, expect rain, snow, fog and a high wind-chill factor.
During March and early April, the temperature in the Antarctic Peninsula generally doesn't go much below freezing. The average temperature range is between -5°C and 14°C (22°F to 56°F).
You will be traveling with 2041, a company founded by polar explorer, environmental leader and public speaker Robert Swan, OBE - the first person in history to walk to both the North and South poles. His mission is to inform, engage and inspire the next generation of leaders to take responsibility, be sustainable, and know that now is the time for action in policy development, sustainable business generation and future technologies.
Why is it called 2041? In the year 2041 the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty could potentially be modified or amended. Their aim is to work towards the continued protection of the Antarctic Treaty so that the last great wilderness on earth is never compromised.
You will visit incredible locations and be inspired by the unique experience that is Antarctica.
Your adventure starts here…
February 1, 2011
Come away with us! Imagine yourself traveling to the southernmost location in the world. What will you pack? How will you get there? What will you do?...
As you may have read in the Iron Post, Focus is sponsoring Tyler Barkhouse’s participation in the upcoming International Antarctica Expedition 2011.
We will be updating you every step of the way as Tyler prepares for this amazing adventure from March 3 - 18. Watch for upcoming emails with updates, website links, photos and other important information about the trip.
Imagine yourself as part of the team. We hope you enjoy your trip to Antarctica...