25 Feb 2017

SHOKALSKIY: Shackleton's Hut and the Welcoming of 50 Orca

Our morning started leisurely as we made our way towards Scott & Shackleton's Huts. After breakfast, with the sun shining and the pancake ice on the ocean entertaining us, an announcement from the bridge alerted us to a pod of Orca ahead. As we got closer we saw around 50 Orca, some of which showed interest in the ship and approached. After lunch, and a catch up on the morning's sights, we arrived at Cape Royds, home to Ernest Shackleton's Hut. Our onboard Antarctic historian, David Harrowfield, showed us around the hut and revealed some of the hidden pieces of history that he has come to know intimately over many decades. That evening we were at anchor under the watch of Mt Erebus. You have to be up pretty late to see the sun set, however around 11pm we saw the slopes of the mountain turn from a bright white, with golden icebergs in front to a pale pink. Afterwards everyone retired for the night in preparation for an early start at Cape Evans and a visit to Robert F Scott 's Hut.

Guest Blogger, Leanne Dunhill

Images ©HAhern