04 Mar 2017

Perfect Ending to the Ross Sea Adventure

What a way to finish our time in the Ross Sea. Unbelievable! You could not have a better script if you had tried.  On Thursday we steamed north from Coulman Island, with so little ice in the vicinity we were able to steam through the relatively narrow passage on the western side of Coulman Island affording everybody outstanding and spectacular views. The clouds cleared and the wind dropped and for two days now we have enjoyed the most stunningly beautiful weather and scenery and wildlife. Even as I write this today (Saturday), although the cloud has returned, the seas are calm.

Yesterday at Cape Adare was one of those days that nobody will ever forget. It is etched in our memories and recorded in our photographs forever. You might remember from our previous blogs we were unable to land here on the way south because of heavy push ice on the beach and a big swell, yesterday could not have been different (except the swell was still present albeit a little less violent). It was calm and clear with not a breath of wind nor cloud in the sky.  Everybody landed and enjoyed exploring the oldest historic hut in Antarctica dating from 1899/1900, with the masses of moulting Adelie Penguins and the Weddell and Leopard Seals surrounding it. A small team attempted to reach to grave of Nicolai Hanson, who died during the Southern Cross Expedition, and is buried high on Cape Adare, but heavy snow and icy conditions forced us to abandon it.

This morning we are steaming across calms seas towards the Balleny Islands, we plan a couple days exploring these seldom visited Islands. The weather map looks favourable.