Thursday, January 5, 2012
http://www.studentsonice.com/antarctic2011/day10.html
Expedition Update - 7:30pm EST
Evening update from Expedition Leader, Geoff:
I may be sounding like a broken record, but today has been another incredible day, with sunshine and blue sky! Ice prevented our passage down the Lemaire Channel this morning, so we proceeded directly to the Koerner Icecap, site of an ongoing Students on Ice research project. We hiked up to the top of the icecap and found the pole and mini weather station and data logger we left there last year. The students sat in a circle around the pole to learn about the research and also about the late, great Dr. Fritz Koerner. We had a tribute to Fritz which he would have loved, Tony played a beautiful song (the first song he ever wrote) and then we got to work replacing the equipment, digging snow pits for analysis, and more.
After lunch, we arrived to the US Research station Palmer, where we have just completed a great visit. The station personnel gave us a very interesting tour of their labs, facilities and answered lots of questions. It was a real opportunity to see what life on a research base is all about. They even brought out brownies for us! Thank you Palmer Station!
We are presently in the midst of about 15 Humpback whales as we make our way north. Hard to believe but tomorrow is our final day in Antarctica before we start our trip back across the Drake Passage.
In the expedition spirit,
Geoff
Expedition Update - 8:00am EST
New update from Expedition Leader Geoff:
Another big and successful day yesterday. Our morning was spent sailing south down the Gerlache Strait. Lectures and workshops took place inside and outside the ship, and it was a good chance to rest after three days of Antarctic adventure. We arrived to Ronge Island after lunch and went to shore. Spectacular light, Gentoo penguins, Weddell seals, workshops on climate, conservation, a hike onto the adjacent glaciar, and Zodiac cruises in the icebergs kept our eyes, ears, hearts and minds spinning. Back on the ship we taste feasted on Argentine Asado BBQ as we repositioned the ship to Danco Island. Our mission here, climb to the top of the ice domed island in the middle of the specatacular Errera Channel. We started at 7:15pm, and by 8:30pm everyone of the students was standing on top!! A 360 degree, staggering and stunning view of the surrounding mountains blanketed by ice was our reward under the light of the setting sun. We had 10 minutes of total silence (yes, its true, 60 teenagers totally silent!) and just stared into the distance of the landscape, and appreciated the moment.
Antarctica casts a spell on you. When here you don´t know what day it is. You are transfixed on the moment all of the time. There are no distractions except for nature. We are not bombarded by non-stop media, communication, advertising, noise, technology, consumerism and all the rest that we experience back home on a daily basis. This refreshes and frees the soul and mind and releases thoughts, feelings, ideas and passion. You can see this happening with the students. They are all so happy. They are enjoying being in a place of beauty where Mother Nature is in control. Of course they are still teenagers, they want to have fun, and they are at different stages of understanding themselves and this world we live in. But without any question, these 60 students now have a perspective, understanding, and a connection that will help them in many ways on their respective life paths.
Before descending (sliding!) back down the snow to the beach, we took a group photo and Selin read us a beautiful poem she had written. A hungry crowd boarded the ship, and our late night BBQ was well earned! Antarctica never stops, and just after dinner we encountered two Humpback whales feeding just beside the ship in a coordinated and graceful water ballet. Sublime and humbling to be with these whales.
As we do each evening, we gathered together for our recap and briefing to celebrate our day and share our experiences and highlights. It was midnight when we finally called it a day and crawled off to our beds...
This morning we awoke at the mouth of the Lemaire Channel on another beautiful sunny day. The channel has been blocked by ice for the entire season and the same was true for our visit. As a result, we could not pass through, but instead are heading towards the Wauwerman Islands, where we will make a landing to learn more about the pillow ice cap there. Students on Ice has been performing glaciological research on this ice cap for the last 4 years. We affectionately call this place the Koerner Pillow Ice Cap, after Fritz Koerner, an inspiring glaciologist and grandfather of Students on Ice. Students are busily writing post cards to mail from Port Lockroy , a historic UK base, this afternoon! Our whole team will be able to visit a US base, Palmer Station just after lunch.
Today's Education Program:
0700 - Yoga (Clare & Danièle)
0700 - Wake-Up! Get up on deck as we attempt to sail down the Lemaire Channel.
0730 - Breakfast
Morning program: Landing possibilities will be determined based on ice and weather conditions.
1200 - Lunch
1300 - Approximate arrival to Palmer Station.
1330 - Palmer Station and Torgersen Island
1800 - Possible Evening Landing: Wauwermans Islands and Koerner Pillow Ice Cap
2030 - Dinner
2130 - Evening Recap & Briefing
No comments:
Post a Comment