Frontierwatch

Recently a Norwegian yacht named “Berserk” went missing in the Ross Sea, as did three of its crew. Two survivors of the expedition, Jarle Andhoy and Samuel Massie, were going to ride quad bikes to the South Pole at the end of the Antarctic summer in celebration of Roald Amundsen’s 100th anniversary of planting his flag there, but the disappearance of their yacht and crew changed things. The two were sent out on a US plane from McMurdo to Christchurch, where they met some unfriendly press.

Big Dead Place has approached Mr. Andhoy for an interview, but for now we are stuck with the mainstream media accounts:

Three die in ‘Viking’ yacht off Antarctica

Ice adventurer defends doomed expedition

2 Wild Vikings to be deported

Norweigan survivors of Antarctic trip Jarle Andhoy and Samuel Massie land in Christchurch

Polar adventurer has history of clashes with authorities

Andhøy refutes Berserk criticism: ‘She was my little floating tank.’

Here is something of a mission statement from the Berserk Expedition website:

“-A new generation of explorers

The crew onboard Berserk II wish to pick up the old Norsemen traditions opposed to todays so called “civilized” and often artificial way of living. Instead of being a part of the playstation-generation, in a 7 – 4 life with computers, electrical tinopeners and washingmachines, they seek adventures and exploration in the spirit of the ancient vikings. Simply equipped on a low budget ,The wild vikings turn the time back to the old days when men were men. Back to basics. Back to nature in harmony with its simple and real beauty to the worlds remote corners.”