January 19, 2008: Position Report

Saturday, 19 January 2008 2000 UTC

Port Lockroy

64 49.4 S 63 29.1 W

Overcast, grey, drizzily day. Went to the Port Lockroy museum and gift shop in between cruise ships - one came in this morning and another this afternoon. Actually we can't see the cruise ships when they come in - the museum buildings are on small rock outcrop that's between us and the cruise ship anchorage.

Weather permitting will continue on to the Melchior Islands to get ready to cross the Drake.

January 18, 2008: Position Report

Friday, 18 January 2008 2000 UTC

Port Lockroy

64 49.4 S 63 29.1 W

Traveled today from Hovegaard to Port Lockroy, a former British base, now a museum and tourist stop. Overcast sky and light snow all day. A cruise ship was anchored off the base and after we were secure several zodiacs full of tourist came by to say hello and take photos. I keep thinking of all the slide shows we will be in when the cruise passengers return home.

We will stay here tomorrow and possibly the day after. We only have a few more days before we start looking for a good weather window to cross the Drake. Would like to spend them in the best possible scenic spots possible.

January 17, 2008: Position Report

Thursday, 17 January 2008 2000 UTC

Hovegaard Island

65 06.4 S 64 04.4 W

Decided to spend another day at Hovegaard.

Our next stop is Lockroy and instead of 3 days there we spent an extra day here at Hovegaard which means one less day at Lockroy.

We're really glad that we were able to leave for Antarctica right after Christmas because from the radio traffic it's apparent that there are now lots of boats in the area. Luckily the cruise ships cannot get in where we are and not all of the private charter boats come here. So we've pretty much had the place all to ourselves these last four days.

January 16, 2008: Position Report

Wednesday, 16 January 2008 2000 UTC

Hovegaard Island

65 06.4 S 64 04.4 W

Repeat of yesterday. What can I say!!! Beautiful day in Antarctica.

Leave tomorrow for Lockroy.

January 15, 2008: Position Report

Tuesday, 15 January 2008 2000 UTC

Hovegaard Island

65 06.4 S 64 04.4 W

Another beautiful day in Antarctica. Hiked up to the top of Pleneau Island to enjoy the view and visit a gentoo colony. The chicks were in varying sizes, some half their adult's size. The anchorage is on the south side of Lemaire Channel, a narrow passage with steep walls, hanging glaciers and large ice fields reaching the water. As we were up top Holland America's Rotterdam cruised by, then turned around and retraced their steps. A reminder that civilization isn't far away. On our trip down off the cliff we walked through a small groups of various types of seals, a few leopard seals among them. We had one very large, and quite aggressive leopard seal, follow us closely in the dinghy. As a precaution, we lift the dinghy out of the water when we are not using it.

We will remain here for another day tomorrow, then proceed north about 20 miles to an anchorage near the old British research base, now a tourist base, of Lockroy.

January 14, 2008: Position Report

Monday, 14 January 2008 2000 UTC

Hovegaard Island

65 06.4 S 64 04.4 W

Wind and snow all morning clearing up by late afternoon into a beautiful evening. Went for an early evening hike to enjoy the extraordinary scenery. The anchorage is at the base of steep, glaciated mountains to the northeast, large glaciers to the east, and large stranded icebergs to the west. Hope that the weather tomorrow is good for more hiking and exploring.

January 13, 2008: Position Report

Sunday, 13 January 2008 2000 UTC

Hovegaard Island

65 06.4 S 64 04.4 W

Traveled about 12 miles north to a very secure and off the main track anchorage. This is the same anchorage that Northern Lights used when they wintered over in 1991/2. We hope to spend a few days here exploring the area. It's lightly snowing this evening. We made a brief stop on our way here at Peterman Island to visit an adele penguin colony, one of the few on the Peninsula.