Polar Plunge!

9 Feb 2009

Polar Plunge!

By Blog.Admin

8 February 2009

Antarctica has thrown everything at us in the past two days. We’ve had sunshine, strong winds, rain and snow, however, it has not deterred anyone from getting outside and experiencing all the Peninsula has to offer. Twenty five hardy souls even managed a polar plunge!

Yesterday morning we visited Vernadsky station, a Ukrainian station in the Argentine Islands and nearby Wordie House, a historic site named after Sir Ernest Shackleton’s chief of scientific staff on the famous Endurance expedition of 1914-1916.

Vernadsky was purchased by the Ukraine from the British Government for the princely sum of one pound. It was a good deal for both parties as the Brits would have had to close and remove the station had it not been purchased. The station is famous for being one of two stations in the Antarctic to discover a hole in the ozone layer in the 1970s. The station is also famous for its bar and collection of assorted bras exchanged by visitors for a shot of vodka.

In the afternoon we headed to nearby Port Charcot named after French explorer Jean-Baptiste Charcot who overwintered here in 1904. All three brush-tailed penguin species can be seen here, Adelies, Gentoos and Chinstraps. Nearby, dozens of neon-blue grounded icebergs made for a sanctuary for a large number of Crabeater and Leopard seals.

By the time we made it back to the ship the wind was howling and most folks were I need a of a hot cup of tea… perfect timing for a polar plunge! One brave soul made the plunge in his birthday suit! I promise the pictures will not accompany this blog!

Overnight we relocated to Port Lockroy. We awoke to find the weather had deteriorated further. Strong winds and low cloud made for a gloomy morning. Most folks were undeterred and enjoyed a visit to the museum and nearby Gentoo and Blue-eyed Shag colonies.

A short time after weighing anchor news came through that the Lemaire Channel through which we had passed last night had become completely clogged with ice and was now unnavigable. Happily for us our schedule remained intact.

As we headed north to Danco Island for our afternoon landing the wind speed gusted up to 50 knots, conditions unsuitable for a landing, however by the time we reached Danco Island the wind had dropped, largely due to its sheltered aspect. We enjoyed a slow hike to the summit and a quick descent on our backsides all in time for a well-earned dinner. At dinner I spied two snow petrels off the stern deck, the first of this voyage and a terrific thrill for one of our keen birders from North America.

Once again the winds are strong as we head into the Bransfield Strait headed for the Aitcho Islands. Fingers and toes are crossed for sunshine and light breezes.

David Sinclair

Categories

travel1212
Antarctica is simply
Submitted by travel1212 on Fri, 07/08/2011 - 11:14.

Antarctica is simply stunning.Place with vast white wilderness..Snow, water rock just amazing..Only Few had experienced the true Antarctica, and i think you are one of them..I dream to visit this place once in life time.Maharashtra India


Back to Top