Meet the Team – Jim
The staff that make up the Polar Latitudes expedition and home teams are much more than a team – we are a tight knit family. Most of us voyage together year after year, sharing a deep love for Antarctica. We take immense pleasure in making sure your trip is one you’ll never forget, and are proud of how highly experienced and synced to our guests’ needs each staff member is.
Here’s a chance to get to know some of the members of our amazing team a little bit better.
Jim Gardner
Name and Job: Jim, Geologist / Glaciologist, Guide
From: Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
What is your professional background? I was a University Professor and Administrator for 40 years, geomorphological, and glaciological teaching and research primarily in mountain areas around the world.
How many times have you been to Antarctica? I have worked 6 seasons for Polar Latitudes in Antarctica and the Southern Ocean (Usually 2 or 3 cruises per season)
What’s your favourite thing about Antarctica? The scenery and embedded wildlife
What is your favourite Antarctic animal? Weddell Seal
Tell us about your job! I give lots of formal, informal, and short talks on board, many explaining things we have seen during the day, and answer endless questions on board and ashore about things that I know about. I spend a lot of time prepping presentations and photos. Onshore I help mark walks and guide walks, manage and help passengers, answer more questions, sometimes help with the transfer of passengers to and from zodiacs, and many other little tasks like cleaning boots and gear for passengers and helping in the gift shop
What do you love about your job? Seeing and being required to learn about new things and my expedition teammates
What are your favourite hobbies? Photography and reading
How do you explore? I get out almost every day to walk and hike at home, travel globally a lot, and read scientific, nonfiction and fiction literature. Keep my eyes open everywhere!!
What is your favourite place that you have travelled? I have been fortunate in that my work-related and recreational travel has taken me all over the world. I gave up keeping track of my favourite place many years ago, but it has taught me to be in the present wherever I am, making that my favourite place for the moment. However, if I have to choose, it would be where I live, Victoria on Vancouver Island
If you could explore anywhere right now, where would it be? Argentinian Patagonia
If you could go to Antarctica with anyone, who would it be? My three sons