A hundred years ago, for the first time in history, man succeeded in passing the winter in Antarctic waters

This achievement is due to a lieutenant in the Belgian navy, Adrien de Gerlache, and his fellow expeditionaries, most of whom were scientists.

Leaving Antwerp on 16th August 1897, aboard the three-master, "Belgica", these pioneers were not to return to their homeland before 5th November 1899, after being prisoners of the terrible southern ice floes for more than a year...

 

From October to February, two Belgians, Alain Hubert and Dixie Dansercoer, were to attempt to cross the entire Antarctic continent, from the site of the former King Baudouin base to the American base at McMurdo, located on the other side of the continent, some 3,800 kilometres from where they started. This crossing was to be accomplished on foot and on skis entire on their own, without the slightest assistance from the outside. If these Belgians are successful in achieving their aim, they will write their names in the very closed book of world firsts.