Conquering the majority of glaciers on the planet is a serious undertaking, one that will require a fair amount of resources, planning, lots of moving pieces and, of course, some rather serious flying. Here is a rough idea of the order of events as we see them.
While glacier photography has been undertaken with sole support from the Founder, future aspects of the plan require an addition of resources which depends on external support. Fundraising is in focus so that necessary events can be put into motion so that glacier photography in the coming years can continue unabated.
Our focus has been on photographing the glaciers. After all, glacial melt does not pause for our plans. As the organization develops and matures, it is our aim to build a larger collaboration and outreach engine.
It is one thing to photograph the glaciers; it is another to share the images with the rest of the world. Many regions have been photographed already. The mass of tens of thousands of images are being sorted through for distribution in various channels. Sometimes it takes more time and effort than the flying and photography itself!
We didn't think we'd do it, though a museum in Northern Norway captured our hearts, so a season in Svalbard is in the works, provided some very complex plans come together.
At first, we thought we'd fly the plane to Iceland. A single engine over the waters of the North Atlantic doesn't sound like fun, particularly if the engine quits. Then shipping the plane on a boat was considered, and now its back to flying it, provided we can find a ferry pilot who will do it for us. Once the water crossings are dealt with, there is an impressive amount of ice to chase in Iceland.
Fortunately for the glaciers of the Caucasus, the engine had some problems and needed an upgrade, so now it has more power, which means that the peaks of the Caucasus and Turkey are doable with the current aircraft. With peaks topping out at almost 17,000 feet and a proximity to Iran, Iraq, and Russia, it is a fun place to operate, though the glacier quantity is manageable in one season.
Research for a housing arrangement for flying seasons, as well as research regarding the best way to disassemble and ship one of the fleet aircraft to and from New Zealand.
A four to five month stay is necessary in New Zealand, in the southern hemisphere summer, to complete photography of the glaciers there.
Do we or do we not base a plane in the Yukon, to conquer one of the biggest ice masses on earth outside of the Poles? Budgets matter, as does the evolution of opportunities elsewhere. While we're not sure when it will happen, it is likely an inevitable base of operations.
While the Founder speaks Spanish, South America is a complex, rugged, and difficult place to operate, with glaciers spanning from 16,000-foot peaks on the Caribbean slopes of Colombia down to Tierra del Fuego, along with the highest peaks of the Western Hemisphere in between. It is a lot of ground to cover and complements the Southern Hemisphere strategy of doubling annual flights.
Provided that necessary logistical and financial support is in place, then glaciers of South America can be targeted in the southern hemisphere summer.
Save the best for last! Everything that is high up, far, geopolitically challenging and dangerous is in the Himalayas.