21 Nov 2012

Heard Island Landing Today

For several days we had been watching the weather maps which showed a small window of fine weather between two frontal systems. Just how big the window was and how long it would last, was not clear.  In the morning we checked a prospective landing site at Spit Beach but it was unworkable so we steamed back to Atlas Cove determined to make a landing. There we launched the Zodiacs and ferried everyone ashore where they immediately set off exploring the visitor zone. The snow showers continued throughout the day but in late afternoon the cloud rolled back like curtains in a theatre to reveal Australia's highest mountain Big Ben. This show however was better than any in an auditorium and nobody could have scripted it better. This is a mountain that rarely shows itself. There are reports of people living and working on the island for weeks and even months and never catching a glimpse of its elusive peak. We therefore felt very privileged to see it, feel its presence and experience its grandeur first hand. This day will live in our memories for a very long time.