On to the Pole!!

I was starting to get a sense of the remoteness of the 7th continent.With another landing, another hike. A steady climb up the snowy covered trail to the top of the bluff and just beyond. We would gaze out over the vastness, then our vision would lead us down into the bay, which was that of the bay of Port Lock Roy. One could only try to get a sense of the extremes of the region but really it was fruitless. Of course we are nowhere near the South Pole, but nonetheless, just trying to imagine what the early explorers of the late 1800’s had to endure, seems unfathomable to me.

Through an Antarctic preservation heritage group, the outpost on Damoy Bay, still remains intact as it was back in the mid 1940’s, as does the British research station and the outbuildings at Port Lockroy. You can still mail a postcard thanks to the Royal Mail but it will probably take up to 2 months before reaching it’s final destination.

We were strongly encouraged to go on deck during the late evening sunset to witness the sailing through the Meridian Passage. Towering cliffs, freezing cold winds and an eerie sunset gave way to a narrow 240 meter passage which we were to navigate. Not much room for error. Time to go in for a hot shower after our bone chilling passage through the channel. Another memorable experience with great anticipation for tomorrow.

Skol!!