WILDGuides was created in 2000 as a non-profit publishing organization committed to supporting wildlife conservation. In 2003, WILDGuides teamed up with English Nature, a Government agency championing conservation in England. Together, WILDGuides and English Nature produce simple-to-use photographic guides, the profits from which support a range of nature conservation charities. Their newest guide, Below Freezing: The Antarctic Dive Guide, is also perhaps their most ambitious. Moreover, it's really the only guide of its kind that covers the wild, fragile place known as Antarctica.

Below Freezing is written by Lisa Eareckson Trotter, founder of Polar Dive, who actually learned to dive in Antarctica and who has spent 5 years logging over 400 hours in the chilly waters. In Below Freezing, Trotter outlines the conditions of 25 of the area's top dive sites; explains the wildlife divers are likely to see; provides maps and photos of the area; details how to reach this distant land; and offer tips on what to take (um, let me guess, lots and lots of warm clothes?). Moreover, she discusses the kinds of equipment divers need to enjoy Antarctica's icy conditions.

Although the press release indicates that Below Freezing is available from the publishers, it's not listed on their website. If you're interested in getting your thickly-gloved hands on a copy, drop them an email. Even for people not interested in diving, it sounds like an extraordinary and unusual travel guide.

[Via Dive News]