Beyond the Mountains of Madness

Jeff/Dr. Robert Cope was absent 20 Nov, morning : This was just a cleanup at the Lexington camp. No rescue other than distancing from the growing argument between Acacia and James in her tent. Back and forth name calling. “Deranged.” “Incompetent.” The polar guides from each team (Haakon Tuvinen with Lexington and Peter Sykes from Starkweather) had grown weary. Haakon confessed, “I’m thinking the seaman who jumped overboard had the right idea. Batshit crazy he was. You’d have to talk to our Radio Operator Mr. Tony Hopewell to learn more. The two of them were sharing a bottle before the man just up and jumped so I heard.” Oskar nudged Wilbur, “Did you hear that? You go speak with Tony and I’ll ask Dr. Anthony for his notes on the matter.” Dr. Anthony had little to add, “He was seaman Bicks. The ship crew was already mad at our expedition team, so the ship doctor handled the case.” Oskar suggested, “Did your radioman have any symptoms? I heard they shared a bottle before the man jump...

Jeff/Dr. Robert Cope was absent 7 Nov : The Gabrielle made “slow ahead”, accompanied with the groans of the ice and creak of the hull, leaving the derelict Wallaroo in its wake. Days of thick ice that required more blasting to carve passage. 9 Nov : ‘Careful what you wish for’: Finally, they found broken ice accompanied by high waves and wind whipping snow and frozen spray across the ship and anyone topside and exposed. Misery that sought refuge in the cabins.     13 Nov : Commotion on deck woke all below who first realized the ship at full stop and no sea motion. They rushed topside to join in the jubilation spotting open sea before them. Morale improved. Sunbathers on deck. Then afternoon sighting of penguins and seals riding atop pancake icebergs. Laughter interrupted by the ship speaker broadcasting the news of Ms. Acacia Lexington’s ship arriving at the south pole and she documented flying in an autogyro-Whirligig as the first woman to f...

Jeff/Dr. Robert Cope was absent 12 Oct : It was almost mutiny as the Gabrielle entered Port-Phillip-Bay, the crew ready to dump the remaining Pemmican that had become their sole-source-of-food. Bland. The fishy, oily, stinking coal-fire smell of the city oh so inviting. A crowd was already awaiting at their assigned pier, per the radio ahead. Police for “The Hennings’ Affair” (as Moore worded the sabotage) and reporters to interview the globe-trotting adventuring Starkweather. As Starkweather stepped upon the gangplank, he turned to the men on deck, “Enjoy Melbourne but remember we sail in 5 days.” As the crew and exploration team lined the gangplank for escape into town, Moore pulled the trio aside. “Dr. Cope, I need you to organize our spoiled food replacement. Mr. Sampson, if you would deal with the photography chemicals. And Dr. Orendorf, if you’d please take a truck over to Manfield&Sons to pick up the 5 tons of Pemmican replacement we radioed in. Then deal with the elec...

Jeff/Dr. Cope was absent [Professor Moore’s letters] 25 Sept : “My Dearest Judith, Oh how I miss you. I hope you and the kids are doing well. I hope my package from the Panama Canal arrived. I know it’s just a collection of silly items for the kids but the colorful clothing reminded me of your vibrancy. You will have to model them for me upon my return. As for the expedition, we’ve ironed out a few kinks during our sail but should be in order come our 12 October arrival in Australia. We will layover a few days re-supplying which will give me time to shop for a few more items for you. Meanwhile, the team members are staying focused on their classes learning about Arctic survival. And I’ve been plotting out our expedition schedule with James Starkweather. I’m excited about the potential discoveries that lay ahead. All my Love, William” William sealed the letter and put it in the outgoing mail bag to be dropped off in Melbourne. “No need to worry her.” He then began composing a more...