News
Jon Bowermaster to present “Antarctica 2008”
By Appalachian Mountain Club
Aug 22, 2008 - 7:46:16 AM

"Antarctica 2008"

For more than 20 years, writer and filmmaker Jon Bowermaster has explored the environment and exotic corners of the world for a variety of national and international publications, primarily the National Geographic Society and the New York Times. Author of eight books, three with renowned polar explorer Will Steger, his travels have taken him to seven continents and included two-person sledging across Antarctica, sailing a 60-foot sailboat across the Atlantic, and first descents of rivers from Chile to China.

In 1999 Jon began a long-term project called Oceans Eight a series of expeditions to explore the world's oceans from the seat of a sea kayak, which allows Jon together with some of the world's best photographers, filmmakers, scientists and navigators to reach corners of the world rarely seen.

Since 1999, supported by the National Geographic Expeditions Council his first seven adventures took Jon to the Aleutian Islands, down the coast of Vietnam, through French Polynesia, to Bolivia, Chile and Argentina, to Gabon in West Africa, Tasmania and Croatia.

Now Jon has just completed “Antarctica 2008” the final expedition in this 10-year-long project.

In Jon’s own words “If you believe as I do that the Earth is a living thing, then Antarctica is its pulse. Each year the continent freezes solid, then parts of it melt, freezes solid, then melts. It is this annual process that makes Antarctica so important today, its influence on the world's oceans vast, when warming temperatures are impacting and threatening to change life all over the planet.”

For five weeks Jon and his team explored the Antarctic Peninsula by sea kayak and sail - which included rough crossings of the Drake Passage, a variety of wind and snow storms, many beautiful blue sky days and even torrential rains, which are new to Antarctica. Their goal was an up-close look at how the Peninsula is evolving thanks to warming temperatures and increasing numbers of tourists. Along the way they had incredible adventures - kayaking through brash ice and past giant icebergs, mingling with leopard seals, humpback whales and thousands of penguins and attempting to climb peaks covered with slushy ice and snow, all captured in spectacular photographs and film.

For more information on Jon go to www.jonbowermaster.com

AMC members and non members welcome. Social hour with wine and appetizers begins at 6.15 pm followed by a hot pasta dinner, salads, dessert and coffee at 7pm. Slide presentation at 8pm. There will be time available for questions, discussions and book signing. The cost is $8 for members and $10 for non members. Bringing a dessert is optional, but would be appreciated. Christ and Holy Trinity Church, 75 Church Lane, Westport, is located just off the Post Rd.(rt.1) in Westport Center. Turn onto Myrtle Ave. and take the first left onto Church Lane. No reservations are necessary. Pay at the door. For more information on this presentation, please contact, Eleanor Sasso at 203-762-0216 or easasso@optonline.net

Founded in 1876, the Appalachian Mountain Club is America's oldest conservation and recreation organization. With almost 100,000 members including almost 10,000 in Connecticut, it is the largest outdoor club in the North-East.

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