Jessica Wadhams-Mountain’s story
Jessica Wadhams-Mountain, a VIU Kinesiology student from Alert Bay, BC, and a member of the ‘Namgis First Nation, recently returned from an Antarctic expedition with Students on Ice.
She was part of a 10-person Canadian youth delegation, whose mission was to explore pressing issues of conservation, climate change, bipolar linkages and Canada’s role (past, present and future) in Antarctica. The expedition took place December 3 to 23, 2022.
The delegation first travelled from Canada to Argentina and once in Argentina, they travelled to the Tierra del Fuego National Park to learn about the region’s rich history, both about the Yámana, the Indigenous people who inhabit the land in Terra del Fuego, and its geological/ecological history.
The youth also spent time learning about the Antarctic Treaty. The Treaty was signed in 1959 and “recognizes that it is in the interest of all humankind that Antarctica shall continue forever to be used exclusively for peaceful purposes and should not become the scene or object of international discord.” Canada has been a non-consultative party member to the Treaty since 1988, with no decision-making power. Canada is actively applying for full consultative party member status.
In Ushuaia, Argentina, Jessica boarded the MS Seaventure, a tourist vessel operated by Polar Latitudes. The tourism industry was a recurring topic of conversation throughout the expedition. Antarctic tourism is growing at a high rate and there are few accountability measures, although groups such as the International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators advocate and promote safe and environmentally responsible tourism.
The MS Seaventure took two days to cross the passage to the Antarctic Peninsula. Days on the boat were divided by visits to penguin rookeries, zodiac cruises along channels dotted with icebergs, citizen science activities, workshops and presentations. The team saw many humpback whales, gentoo penguin colonies and nesting blue-eyed shags. They also visited Port Lockroy, the UK penguin post office, and explored ice of all shapes and sizes. The delegation took the Polar Plunge – a dip in the Southern Ocean. The water measured zero degrees Celsius that day as the snow gently fell, but that didn’t stop Jessica from diving in!
The trip highlighted geopolitical and scientific aspects of Antarctica, but the youth were also encouraged to use the trip as a time for reflection and growth. Now that Jessica is home she is reflecting on her journey and how to incorporate this experience, and all of the lessons that came with it, into her daily life.
Everyone had a different impact on me throughout the trip and being with them made me feel like I just heard my favourite song for the first time. The energy was so safe, where I spent the full 20+ days with my heart open. I can’t name a moment that I would change. All nine of them became my instant family, they will be in the stories I tell for the rest of my life. There is no other feeling I can describe besides feeling like I belong when I’m with them.
In her own words
Reflections from Jessica Wadhams-Mountain, Antarctic Delegate, on her trip to the Antarctic:
- I learned a lot about myself on this trip; the best thing I learned is to be in the moment by disconnecting from my media to reconnect with the ones around me.
- My favourite wildlife encounter was seeing my first leopard seal. I personally thought my excitement for the penguins was extreme until I saw the seal. Just the way it looks like the closest thing to a real-life sea monster, and how it swims from point A to point B in a matter of seconds.
- I loved every single moment with our SOI delegation. Everyone had a different impact on me throughout the trip and being with them made me feel like I just heard my favourite song for the first time. The energy was so safe, where I spent the full 20+ days with my heart open. I can’t name a moment that I would change. All nine of them became my instant family, they will be in the stories I tell for the rest of my life. There is no other feeling I can describe besides feeling like I belong when I’m with them.
- My advice to people at home is to not let being scared hold you back from living your dream. Being scared of failure, you will fail to try, so take every opportunity that is handed to you; it may be beneficial for your next step. I never thought I would have accomplished all the things I’ve done at this age, but taking that step into being uncomfortable has guided me to meet/see life changing people and things. If it makes you nervous, it is most likely worth it.
Jessica Wadhams-Mountain is currently studying Kinesiology at Vancouver Island University. In 2022 Jessica was supported by Nawalakw and Sea to Cedar to participate in the Canadian High Arctic and Greenland Students on Ice Program. Nawalakw and Sea to Cedar will be supporting two participants for the Students on Ice 2023 Youth Expedition Programming in Atlantic Canada.
This story was reprinted with permission from SOI 2022 with support from Sea to Cedar.
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