January 12, 2008: Position Report

Saturday, 12 January 2008 2000 UTC

Ukraine Base, Vernadsky

65 14.9 S 64 15.1 W

Lazy day. Hiked around some and explored by dinghy. Plan on start the trip north tomorrow.

January 11, 2008: Position Report

Friday, 11 January 2008 2000 UTC

Ukraine Base, Vernadsky

65 14.9 S 64 15.1 W

Had a fun evening last night at the Ukraine base. There are 14 men on the base and they are doing scientific research - geophysical and atmospheric. Every night at 9 pm they open their doors and the bar to visitors. In exchange visitors take them a gift of alcohol and other treats. There is a pool table, darts and one of the personnel performs magic tricks. Only a few speak enough English to hold a conversation but they were all very friendly. The crew and guests of Kotic II and Commitment were also there.

Commitment left this morning and another boat, Pelagic Australis, with a group filming for National Geographic, came in. We'll pass on the bar tonight but I'm sure the Nat'l Geo group will be partaking of the entertainment.

It snowed most of the day but the skies cleared and the sun came out at 4 pm. We will remain here through tomorrow and then start slowly north. Our next stop will be Hovgard Island, where Northern Lights spent the winter of 1992.

January 10, 2008: Position Report

Tuesday, 10 January 2008 2000 UTC

Ukraine Base, Vernadsky

65 14.9 S 64 15.1 W

The base here is located on low islands across from the Peninsula. Hiked around the island that we are anchored in, through snow fields, and along the beach. Nice to be able to hike. Up to this point we've spent time in the dinghy exploring bay and coves but not able to hike. The boat Commitment, who's tied up next to us, has an inflatable kayak and we used it as a sled to slide down a snow bank. We're going over to the Ukraine base this evening for entertainment. Will remain here through tomorrow.

January 9, 2008: Position Report

Wednesday, 9 January 2008 2000 UTC

Picked up anchor at 11:00 am and proceeded to the Ukraine base, Vernadsky, (65 14 43S 64 15 24W) a 52 mile run. The morning started out cloudy but by mid-day the sky was clear. Our eyes hurt from the bright sun. We are anchored in a small cove with two other boats. This is usually the furthest south most boats get. We will stay here for a few days then slowly start to head north. We plan on another 2 weeks before looking for a weather window to cross the Drake Passage.

January 8, 2008: Position Report

Tuesday, 08 January 2008 2000 UTC

Remained today at the Chilean Base 'Gabriel Gonzalez Videla". Overcast skies, light wind. Found the 4 chinstrap penguin intermixed with all the gentoos. Most of the penguin eggs are beginning to hatch and small babies are appearing from underneath their moms.

This base is an airbase and Armada base and the personnel are very friendly and hospitable. They are expecting the cruise ship "Marco Polo", a 500 passenger vessel, to stopover at 7 am and land its passengers, 100 at a time, for a quick stop at the gift shop and to look at the penguins.

Uncertain whether we will continue on tomorrow or not. Next stop the Ukranian base Vernadsky.

January 7, 2008: Position Report

Saturday, 07 January 2008

Chilean Base, Gabriel Gonzalez Videla

64 49.4 S 62 51.3 W

We departed Enterprise Island this morning and motored 42 miles south through various channels with perfect weather. Crystal clear sky, warm sun, no wind - an incredible day. We are anchored off the Chilean Base in Paradise Bay which has 16 personnel. It is also a gentoo penguin colony, who really rule the place. Depending on the weather we will either continue south or remain here on anchor.

January 6, 2008: Position Report

Saturday, 05 January 2008

Enterprise Island

64 32.4 S 61 59.9 W

Remained at Enterprise today. Had a small Russian cruise ship anchor outside and 8 inflatables came into the anchorage and circled the boat. Tamara will be in a few Antarctic slide shows. Otherwise a quiet day. Cloudy in the morning, but cleared late afternoon for a beautiful evening.