Final Continental Landing

18 Dec 2009

Final Continental Landing

By Blog.Admin

We headed up the Neumayer Channel this morning after picking up the campers. The campers had had a great evening, with no wind and beautiful views. Our destination for the morning was Paradise Harbor. This would be our last chance to set foot on the continent for this trip. There is an Argentinian base here that is unoccupied, Almirante Brown. The landing was a bit difficult because of the brash ice that was blown up against the shore. But we managed to get on land and set off on a hike up to a view point. The climbers were going to do a short climb from the viewpoint as well, so they were leading the way with their crampons and ice axes!

The view was lovely, out to the boat and also the glassy harbor. Glaciers and icebergs everywhere once again! We watched the climbers for awhile and then headed back down. This was another stop where you could slide down if you chose. Linnea was going to, so I walked down to get photos of her coming down the run. She and several others enjoyed it enough to warrant heading back up to do it again! It was time for our zodiac cruise. Niklaus took us along the cliff base first to see some Blue Eyed Shags with some chicks. A bit further on there was some copper stained cliff as well. Then we headed across another bay to a little harbor that was full of ice sculptures and icebergs.

We cruised around admiring the ice as well as a Weddell seal that was swimming near the shore. We started back toward the ship, stopping at some big bergs along the way. While we were taking pictures of one with an arch through it, it started to pop and crack. It was a treat to see the arch collapse from nearby! Later, we might have one more stop to do some zodiac cruising. It is all weather dependent. The winds will be against us in the Drake Passage, so we may just head straight out this afternoon. Drake proofing ourselves and our cabins!!

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