Norman Vaughan

I'd would love to devote an entire web site to Col. Norman Vaughan. However, it's difficult to find the time to develop and maintain this web site as it is. A site devoted to Col. Vaughan would take many hours just to set up, since his many life experiences cover a wide span of time and activities.

After reading his books I have only the highest respect for Col. Vaughan and his accomplishments. During his 100 years, he had many experiences in his lust for adventure. Many lives are owed to his knowledge and ability to plan and survive extreme conditions and accomplish near impossible tasks. Since passing his 80th birthday he has climbed an Antarctic Mountain, mushed dogs, and still traveled from Nenana to Nome by snowmobile and dog team in his 90's. No, he wasn't superman, he just exemplifies his positive can-do attitude. It is an honor and a pleasure to be a part of Col. Vaughan's expedition.

Col. Vaughan's fame came to light when he accompanied Admiral Byrd to Antarctica in 1928-30, and was part of the team that founded Little America and laid claim to the first American soil in Antarctica. Col. Vaughan was responsible for the preparation and dog teams for the Geological survey party spending 87 days traveling the Antarctic ice. Since that time Col. Vaughan ventured into terrain that few if any men dare go, for adventure and to benefit others.

You don't find a lot of information about Col. Vaughan, he was never involved in a major disastrous expedition, while he outfitted, planned and took part in many significant events, he has not sought to become famous.

I suggest reading his books!

"With Byrd at the Bottom of the World" by N. Vaughan
"My Life of Adventure" by N. Vaughan

Col. Vaughan's Bio

19 December 1905 - December 2005

Prior to leaving on this Millennium Expedition, Vaughan was honored in London by the Royal Geographic Society and provided the keynote address. The Times of London newspaper devoted a whole page to him and his visit, which was to include an audience with the Queen. The article was called "Back to the cold at age 94". A reporter for the Times said, "the adventure society is the Royal Geographical Society, which is about as grand as it gets in Britain, and is, of course, the society that sent out Scott, Mallory, Burton, Speke and Livingstone, so Col V is in good company. Find this article at www.the-times.co.uk.

Norman D. Vaughan, a member of the first Byrd Antarctic Expedition 1928-1930, was the first American to drive dogs in the Antarctic. He was chief dog driver for the Geological Party. For his contributions Admiral Byrd named a mountain in his honor. On December 16, 1994, three days before his 89th birthday, Norman Vaughan summited Mount Vaughan, 10,302 feet in the Antarctic.

AMAZING ACCOMPLISHMENTS, JUST TO NAME A FEW:

1928-1930 Byrd Antarctic Expedition

1932 Winter Olympics

1942-1952 W.W.II Air Force Search & Rescue with 425 dogs Instigated rescue of 24 Aircrew, Greenland Single-handedly recovered Norden bombsight off B-17 Took 209 sled dogs to Battle of the Bulge

1952 First Lower 48 team to compete in North American Championship

1959 Trainer and coach of a polo team that represented the U.S. in an international competition in Iran.

1967 Rode a snowmachine from the Arctic Circle in Alaska to Boston

1973, 1977, 1981 Presidential parades

1981 Gave Pope John Paul II dog sled ride

1990 Having entered 13 Iditarod Dog Sled races beginning in his 70s, he finishes last in 1990 at age 84

1994 Summits Mt. Vaughan in Antarctica on December 16 at age 88

1997 Heads the first commemorative Serum Run expedition from Nenana to Nome at 91

DOG MUSHING AWARDS
1987 - Most inspirational musher
1989 - Timberland Spirit of the Iditarod Award
1990 - Musher of the Year
1990 - Musher Hall of Fame

BOOKS, VIDEOS & CASSETTE:

"With Byrd at the Bottom of the World" by N. Vaughan
"My Life of Adventure" by N. Vaughan
National Geographic’s "Height of Courage" video
Cassette: "An Afternoon with Norman Vaughan at Cyrano’s"