"Is this meant to be on the same "Gotham by gaslight" earth? How many of those Batman elseworlds used the GbG character ????"
Nope, just a similar one. As for GbG emulation -- I'm afraid I have no idea. Sorry.
"Seems based on Shackleton's first attempt at he south pole."
I was reminded more of the Scott expedition, since things went horribly wrong. And since you're a history buff, pick up Apsley Cherry-Garrard's account of the Scott expedition -- "The Worst Journey in the World." GREAT book.