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TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH

The majesty of the poles is captured in these stunning new photos

More than a century of exploration has not dimmed the mystery of the Antarctic

penguins at south pole

SHACKLETON called it the White War.

For almost a year, he and his crew were trapped in the ice of Antarctica.
These eerie photos convey the hardships they endured but also the majesty they must have witnessed.
The Endurance expedition was just one of many to close the gaps on our knowledge of the earth – but scientists and explorers still return more than a century later.
Photographer Christopher Michel visited the poles on more than five separate occasions to capture these shots.
From their grandeur, we can see why – but amid the beauty, it is easy to forget the perils the early visitors faced.
Nothing is off limits in the world today – even luxury cruise ships skirt the poles in search of adventure. But armchair explorers can see just as much thanks to pictures like these.

The earliest polar explorers arrived under sail. But this Russian icebreaker, 50 Years of Victory, is nuclear powered
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The earliest polar explorers arrived under sail. But this Russian icebreaker, 50 Years of Victory, is nuclear poweredCredit: News Dog Media
Photographer Christopher Michel has visited Antarctica five times. He says there is an overwhelming sense that you are walking in the footsteps of the great heroic explorers: Shackleton, Scott and Amundsen
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Photographer Christopher Michel has visited Antarctica five times. He says there is an overwhelming sense that you are walking in the footsteps of the great heroic explorers: Shackleton, Scott and AmundsenCredit: News Dog Media
In Scott and Amundsen’s day, supply depots had to laid in advance, in regular intervals along the expedition’s path. Today, they are freighted in by jet. But it is still a perilous journey.
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In Scott and Amundsen’s day, supply depots had to laid in advance, in regular intervals along the expedition’s path. Today, they are freighted in by jet. But it is still a perilous journey.Credit: Christopher Michel/News Dog Medi
Sometimes, man hauling is the only way to carry supplies across the ice
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Sometimes, man hauling is the only way to carry supplies across the iceCredit: Christopher Michel/News Dog Medi
Scientist Robert Headland, of the Scott Polar Research Institute, takes a well-earned break from the cold
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Scientist Robert Headland, of the Scott Polar Research Institute, takes a well-earned break from the coldCredit: News Dog Media
The seascape of the Antarctic – such as this ice floe in the Lemaire Channel – is a reminder of our planet's fragile beauty
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The seascape of the Antarctic – such as this ice floe in the Lemaire Channel – is a reminder of our planet's fragile beautyCredit: Christopher Michel/News Dog Medi

 

Scientists still undertake vital experiments at the Poles, for example, to measure the effects of global warming
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Scientists still undertake vital experiments at the Poles, for example, to measure the effects of global warmingCredit: News Dog Media
The penguins are quite safe from polar bear attacks – they live on opposite ends of the earth!
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The penguins are quite safe from polar bear attacks – they live on opposite ends of the earth!Credit: Christopher Michel/News Dog Medi
An iceberg towers above Cierva Harbor in the Western Antarctic Peninsula
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An iceberg towers above Cierva Harbor in the Western Antarctic PeninsulaCredit: Christopher Michel/News Dog Medi
Thousands can 'live' at the poles today – and come home again. Not all have been so lucky
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Thousands can 'live' at the poles today – and come home again. Not all have been so luckyCredit: Christopher Michel/News Dog Medi
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