19 Feb 2016

Bergs and Cold Feet

Many were on the bridge or out on deck early braving the -3 degree temperatures to catch their first glimpse of Antarctica. Cape Adare and the Trans Antarctic Mountains loomed large under a ceiling of low cloud. The sheer delight on the faces of Antarctic virgins is always a wonderful sight as they hang over the side capturing the sights and sounds of the ship crunching through pack ice. We had arrived and it was hard for some to grasp the magnitude of this place. Emotions heightened as we approached Riddley Beach and realised that a landing here was impossible. We could see the hut we all wanted to visit, but an ice barrier had surrounded the beach. After a heavy snow dump had passed we headed out in the Zodiacs to explore the ice and the spectacular bergs that defied description. Up close and personal they take your breath away. Most were grounded but others were moving at two knots upwind, driven by currents below charging through the pack ice above as we, the Adelie Penguins and Weddel Seals watched on. Not a bad morning all round but there were plenty of cold feet. That bodes well for sock sales in the Spirit of Enderby shop! We are now headed south once again to get to Ross Island before the sea freezes over for winter. Temperatures there today were reported to be -30 degrees – that is unusually cold for this time of the year!