Upcoming book
For years, the pull of Antarctica — land of explorers, heroic myth, and unaccessible beauty — tugged at the author's dreams. In Skiing and Sailing Antarctica, that dream is finally realized in a story that weaves together legendary landscapes, newfound skills, and inner reflection.
Preparing for this journey is itself a testament to dedication and transformation. The author takes readers back to the early days of training: learning the art of mountaineering, taming the paralyzing fear of heights, mastering the rhythm of uphill switchbacks and of steep backcountry skiing descents, grasping the basics of handling an expedition sailing boat. Each lesson lays the groundwork for venturing into a world few have seen.
The voyage begins with midnight watches beneath southern stars, sailing the dreaded Drake Passage from South America toward a continent of ice and silence. After a week at sea, veils of fog finally lift to reveal the Antarctic wilderness, endless shades of blue and white unmarred by human footprints. Vast glaciers crisscrossed by hidden crevasses await, to be navigated on skis while roped together. The velvet stillness broken only by curious penguins, the not-so-distant breath of whales, and the moaning of the wind in the rigging on stormy nights.
But the adventure goes far beyond physical feats. Life aboard a 20-meter sailboat, shared with a close-knit crew, demands trust, collaboration, and self-awareness. With nowhere to retreat and no digital distractions, the author explores not just the exterior wilderness but also the inner terrain: what it means to be vulnerable, to depend on others, and how stepping off the modern world opens a path into one's core.
Skiing and Sailing Antarctica invites readers into an expedition that challenges, thrills, and ultimately transforms.
