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Antarctica Trip Report, March 2015, 10 Days

Antarctica Trip Report, March 2015, 10 Days

Old Sep 5, 2015, 9:54 am
  #16  
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Originally Posted by Chris1984
I'm ready with the pictures from the lemaire channel now and should get the report out tomorrow evening!
Breathtaking.
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Old Sep 5, 2015, 4:19 pm
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Originally Posted by SanDiego1K
Breathtaking.

I must agree with you. Both albums are just amazing.
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Old Sep 6, 2015, 12:56 pm
  #18  
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Live #72, Lemaire Channel, Antarctica



28/03/2015 We finally arrived in Antarctica after sailing through the oddly calm Drake Passage for two full days. Woken up early by our expedition leader Anna at 06:30, I quickly got dressed to head out on deck as we were navigating through the famous Lemaire Channel. The narrow wide channel is a famous stop for tours to the Antarctic Peninsula and despite the bitter cold in the morning, I could not help but staying outside to soak in the majestic sights around me while the sun desperately tried to break through the thick layer of clouds around us.

The sky on our path through the Drake Passage during the last two days was mostly dominated by a thick layer of clouds, making us doubt a bit if we would ever really see anything. In fact, going to Antarctica at the end of March is a bit risky in terms of the weather. You might not see a lot, you might also be stuck in ice and the wild life could hide from you as well. The clouds were still present when we arrived in the Lemaire Channel, but everyone was heading out to deck anyway despite the extremely low morning temperatures around 07:00 AM. About an hour later, the sun actually peaked out for the first time and turned the scenery into incredible orange colors. Snow and Ice covered peaks could be seen all around us and it was our first real sight on Antarctica, a moment that will stick in my memory for the rest of my life for sure. Slowly loosing the feeling in my hands, it was time to get out of the cold and warm up during the nice breakfast buffet.

Finishing the breakfast, we had to change into our zodiac gear for the first time as our first landing to Pourquoi Pas harbour was up! Most of the other people on board looked like they would climb Everest, being completely covered in at least three layers of clothes. Myself, on the other side, just equipped with my light weight trekking gear lead me to believe that it could get a bit cold out there. At least I had three layers of socks to keep my feet warm while wearing the gummy boots they provided. Those would need to be cleaned before and after each zodiac landing as well, making sure that no bacteria would be put on Antarctica. Everyone was ready to go in their complete outfit, including a life west as well, when Anna suddenly made the announcement that our first zodiac landing would have to be cancelled. The weather did not permit a landing and there was too much ice to guarantee a safe trip in the boats. Disappointed, we went back to our cabins to change into normal clothing again – waiting for lunch to be served.

After we filled up our bellies once again, we would finally be able to get out in the zodiacs on our second attempt. The crew prepared three locations for us and we were split up in groups to reach them. My first stop was Wordie House, a shelter that was used by the brits during the second world war. Part of the hut was originally built by James Wordie, a member of Ernest Shackleton’s Endurance expedition in 1921. Inside, we could see original items from that time while outside, the penguins were curiously awaiting us. Antarctica boasts different kinds of penguins and the ones here were Gentoos. Just observing their quest of either standing around or getting from A to B was pure entertainment on it’s own and never really gets boring. We also had seals hanging out, some of them which needed to be observed from a safe distance. Our crew members would make sure that none of the tourists would get too close.

Up next, the zodiac was waiting for us and ready to drop us off around the corner at the Ukrainian station Vernadsky. Handed over from the brits to Ukraine in 1996, the station is populated with a few scientists, engaged in research about the High Atmosphere and the Ozone Layer, as well as biologists working on mosses, skuas and the underwater plants and plankton. They also have a bar in there and it seemed to be a ritual from female visitors to leave their bra’s there. Very interesting. The most southern souvenir shop in the world rounds up the package and we were headed back into the cold to the waiting zodiac boats.

On our way back, the crew brought us close to some ice bergs floating around in the area. I was familiar with oddly shaped ice bergs from my trip to Greenland, but seeing them in Antarctica was a bit more special. Unfortunately, the weather was not optimal this day and some sun light would have made the experience even better. We would still have some time here though and for now, I was really happy with what we saw. The zodiac returned us to the M/V Ushuaia at 5:30 PM and while we enjoyed our afternoon snacks, the captain navigated us out of the Argentine Islands again.

I really enjoyed the times in between our activities as well. Just hanging out in the lounge, reading a book (or playing settlers II in my case) or attempting a round of chess was a really nice contrast program of watching the incredible scenery around us. I actually spent most of the time for the latter and would not really care how cold it was outside, but just like the rest, I would have to eventually retreat in the nice heated lounge or my cabin again to warm up. We had a nice mix of interesting people on board as well, mostly aged above 40 but also with a few “youngsters” like me. I quickly made friends with a few Germans and we would spent most of the meals together. Talking about the meals, I have to say they were absolutely delicious and I could get as much as I wanted. Happy to have recovered from my upset stomach, I was now making full use of all those meals and fruits provided while wondering what the next day would have in store for us.

>> Pictures

Last edited by Chris1984; Mar 7, 2016 at 5:55 am
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Old Sep 7, 2015, 1:27 am
  #19  
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And here just the best pictures for those who are only interested in them

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Old Sep 7, 2015, 8:51 am
  #20  
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Sublime. Thank you.
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Old Sep 7, 2015, 10:51 am
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What confuses me is what clothes you must bring and shoes / boots? And what do they supply you with?

It seems January / February are the best times to go.

These trips are very expensive.

On most ships at least 8,000 Euros / 10,000 US dollars.

So 5,000 US dollars which is still expensive seems to be the cruise for the poor; which I find amusing. No offence.

If I ever go I want to go on Happag Lloyd / the Bremen or their expedition ships.

What I like about them is that their ships can slice through the ice.

Getting off the ship and walking on the ice seems a hoot.

Last edited by Bretteee; Sep 7, 2015 at 10:58 am
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Old Sep 7, 2015, 11:05 am
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Originally Posted by Chris1984
I will use this Thread to collect my reports about my journey to Antarctica from March this year. The first post is already in here and the rest will follow in the next weeks! It will be a total of 7 parts and at some point in time, I will also start working on cutting the video from all of that
So nice !!! It's in my top 5 to go there. I hope in a year, end 2016 I hope to make it. Tnx for sharing looking for the rest.
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Old Sep 7, 2015, 3:12 pm
  #23  
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Got some more for you:

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Cheers
Chris

Last edited by Chris1984; Sep 7, 2015 at 4:06 pm
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Old Sep 8, 2015, 5:56 am
  #24  
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Originally Posted by Bretteee
What confuses me is what clothes you must bring and shoes / boots? And what do they supply you with?

It seems January / February are the best times to go.

These trips are very expensive.

On most ships at least 8,000 Euros / 10,000 US dollars.

So 5,000 US dollars which is still expensive seems to be the cruise for the poor; which I find amusing. No offence.

If I ever go I want to go on Happag Lloyd / the Bremen or their expedition ships.

What I like about them is that their ships can slice through the ice.

Getting off the ship and walking on the ice seems a hoot.
Missed that one!

Well, of course you can spend more money and be on a nicer ship and go during high season, but there are also advantages for march such as whale spotting and less tourists So it really depends what you want I would say. If you think 5000 is a cruise for the poor, I Really hope you are making fun of me and hope you have fun on the 10000+ cruises
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Old Sep 11, 2015, 8:19 am
  #25  
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Will get the third part out tomorrow at the latest, pictures are uploaded on my Facebook page now if don't want to wait for the text


Cheers,
Chris
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Old Sep 13, 2015, 3:10 am
  #26  
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Live #73, Dorian Bay, Neumayer Channel, Antarctica



29/03/2015 On our fifth day in Antarctica, we explored Dorian Bay, navigated through the Neumayer Channel and had our first continental landing at Paradise Bay. It was a lovely sunny day in March with a lot of photos taken, actually forcing me to split it in two live updates. The first one will bring more penguins and seals, great Antarctic Landscapes and the British station of Port Lockroy, which was unfortunately closing down two weeks before our arrival. A shame, because one of my friends from London was actually working there to sell postcards. :-)

I woke up at 8AM to get out on deck, observing the morning colours come up on the snow covered peaks around us. The captain navigated us to Dorian Bay and the day promised to be a bit less cloudy than the one before. Before we would leave the ship, it was time for breakfast again. My daily menu consisted of warm fresh waffles, croissants, eggs, bacon, toast, ham, cheese, butter, dulce de leche and a lot of different sorts of fruits. I actually uploaded a picture of that set as well, just because it was so damn good and it brings back memories After everyone was filled up, we gathered at the Zodiac entry point of our ship and were brought to Wienke Island. The weather now was actually excellent, most of the clouds disappared and the sun was blazing down; I was in awe to see all the snow and ice around us in perfect white.

Everyone was really happy to witness Antarctica in these conditions while we were getting close to the wild-life packed Island. Despite the usual gentoo penguins and leopard seals, we also saw a Giant Petrels posing on Damoy Point. Those guys were pretty big and very busy eating dead penguins. After nearly an hour of observing the still alive penguins doing their usual business of slipping and sliding through the ice, I went up to the second point of interest: The top slope of Wienke Island, offering a great view on our landing point and the M/V Ushuaia sitting behind on one side and Port Lockroy on the other. The clouds actually came up again now, but it was still great to look down to the british station that usually sells postcards during the tourist season. We were just two weeks late sadly and I was not able to visit one of my climbing buddies from London, who worked there for the last months. The setting of Port Lockroy is impressive: A few small huts situated on some tiny islands in front of a big peak and sourrounded by antarctic waters. The small slope on which we were standing was actually used as an runway for airplanes in the past. Heading back to the Zodiacs, we waved the penguins good bye and watched a leopard seal actually killing one of them in the water on the ride back to the ship.

Next up on our agenda was Neko Harbour. In order to get there, we had the pleasure of navigating through the Neumayer Channel. The sun was back out again and with lot's of ice in the water, the passage through the channel was nothing short of breath taking. Everyone was standing outside to observe the landscape while the water produced perfect mirror images of the peaks around us. We had a clear blue sky now and the further we got into the channel, the more ice was sourrounding us. The M/V Ushuaia had no problem breaking through it for now, leaving us astonished about the crushing sounds as it broke through the ice plates, some of which were actually occupied by a few seals staring back at us. A few days later in cold conidtions here would have caused us some problems, according to the captain. Aiming for Neko Harbour after the 25Km long Neumayer channel, we eventually turned into a large concentrated amount of sea ice, blocking our entrance. It was now 15:30 and our first continental landing would have to wait a little bit longer as we were looking for another entry point.

>> Pictures


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Last edited by Chris1984; Mar 7, 2016 at 5:56 am
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Old Sep 14, 2015, 3:07 am
  #27  
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Got some more pics:

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Old Sep 14, 2015, 7:52 am
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Amazing trip report Chris! Your pics are fantastic. Thank you for sharing.
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Old Sep 14, 2015, 8:51 am
  #29  
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Thanks
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Old Sep 14, 2015, 12:30 pm
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Originally Posted by Chris1984
btw, has anyone here in the forum done the same trip maybe?
Yes!!! Me,last year-here's a link to my report...

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trip-...em-ticked.html
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