[Alan]

Hello Argyll,

I'm also new to the board, but have a little Antarctic experience. I also have some cultural ties to Scotland - my area of the United States has a lot of Scots-Irish (Ulster Scots) heritage.

You say you are interested in Shackleton, and it seems like most people who are interested in Antarctica these days like Shackleton the best of the early Antarctic explorers - mainly because of his combination of intelligence, determination, and the value he placed on the lives of his men.

As for transportation in Antarctica - you won't find any Dogs these days in Antarctica. Large sleds are often pulled by Cats. The yellow, tracked kind, that is. The American South Pole Traverse is using mostly Case tractors, but had a couple Cats this year. I've got lots of photos on some data DVDs I've offered to the community.

Anyway, good to see you here.