Nigel Watson
Friday, August 13, 2010, in New Zealand, in his capacity as Executive Director of the Antarctic Heritage Trust (New Zealand), Nigel participated in the opening of a 100 year old crate of Scotch. The 11 bottles of Mackinlay's were left behind by Ernest Shackleton in the hut he built to house the men of the 1907 Nimrod expedition to Antarctica. Nigel's responsible for preserving the historic remains of Antarctic exploration in the Ross Sea Sector - even old bottles of whisky.
How long have you been protecting the expedition bases?
"Since 2000. The Trust cares for the expedition bases left by Robert Falcon Scott, Ernest Shackleton and Carsten Borchgrevink."
What prepared you for the job?
"I have a background in mountaineering and skiing. I've spent the last decade leading or participating annually in expeditions to the Ross Sea region of Antarctica primarily to work or promote the work at the historic sites. I have a passion for the history of Antarctica and its conservation. I'm a frequent guest lecturer in Antarctic history, contributing to books, articles and state of environmental reports on Antarctica."