All entries under Day 06: 18th Mar

I left Roanoke, VA a week ago and ended up in Buenos Aires, which was beautiful weather. From there I went to Ushuaia, the world’s most southernly city and the weather was nice as well. From Ushuaia, we spent 2 days crossing the Drake Passage and the weather was exceptionally good as well. We spent the evening in Maxwell Bay last night and the weather was not bad either. But today, yes today, we met her!!!!

It is difficult to explain using temperatures because they do not tell the whole story. The best way to describe it is to think about climbing into your freezer in your house. Next, turn a fan on and make sure it is CONSTANTLY blowing 30-40 knots (about 35-45 mph). Finally, drop snow and sleet into the fan so it flies into your face and body at that speed. Now stay in it most of the day so you can get a real sense of Mother Nature here in Antarctica today. I must admit, that before today, I questioned the weather here and the horror stories of the Drake Passage. No more questioning!

Due to the bad weather, the first zodiac was delayed heading toward land. Finally, it left. I was the 2nd to last person on the 2nd zodiac to leave. It was a long, wet ride over. The wind was blowing causing the waves to whitecap along the way. Upon landing, there was a 20 minute walk up to the E-Base and E-Home. This wasn’t a normal walk. There was one of 3 things you would step on with each step. It would be a patch of ice, a 4” to 20” pocket of snow or a crunchy combination of ice, rock and mud. It is hard enough when you have to deal with just walking in elements like this but now you have to mentally think your way through each step and it really becomes hard work.

Upon arriving at the top, we learned that the conditions were too dangerous to bring any more people over and they suspended it. Now the work came! We had to take loads of the E-Base teams gear down. These folks have been living there for 18 days so they had some heavy gear. When the wind is against your back, it aides you walking along. When it is in your face, it takes much more energy to trudge ahead. So after 2 trips, I was tired. Upon returning, we were able to visit the E-base and E-home. In the E-Base, we learned how the solar panels and solar tubes performed. Additionally, I stood right in the spot where Robert did the LIVE video conference from to us last Monday. From there, we went in to the E-Home. To see the room where 7 people slept was quite interesting. It was very obvious that this was not an easy 2.5 weeks they had spent there.

Robert was concerned that nobody else would be able to make it over so he asked us to help take the loads of heavy equipment from the E-Base to Russian base. On the first trip, 4 of us were carrying a load of charcoal on an extremely heavy door. About a third of the way down to the base, we hit an area where we all started to sink. We immediately dropped the load and worked our way out of this mud, which I was in about 2/3rd of the way up to my knees. When we were all safely out, the mud slid down the hill like a mud avalanche. We were able to get the equipment out and take it down to the base. After another trip carrying a load, I was tired. Several of us skipped the 2 hour hike to see what ended up being 1 Elephant Seal, couple of other seals and some penguins on the beach and so I stayed in E-Base to visit and talk to people, as well as be outside in these conditions mentally thinking about where in the world I actually was (it was easy to do with conditions today).

After making my way down to the beach, I was able to see my 1st penguin up close and personal. After that, we loaded onto zodiacs for the ride back to the ship. Almost there and we hit a huge waves that soaked us all. WOW – is that water cold (33°F to be exact).

After a nice dinner, Robert gave part 1 of his presentation. This man has the ability to engage a group of people in a way that is a huge inspiration. It was an incredible end of an incredible day – I must say that I am glad we finally met her!!!!!

Time to crash, rumor has it we will be in Iceberg Alley in the morning…………

We spent the day at Bellinhaussen with a strong wind gusting up to 45 knots. This delayed the landings but we made it ashore and went to see the Ebase and what a fantastic job the team there had done installing, using and living of renewable energy sources – wind, sun and pedal power! Wind being the primary energy source and clearly demonstrating that this is possible even in this severe climate. We had a walk around in the howling wind which was a bracing experience, with my highlight being able to see an elephant seal. The next day we landed at Brown’s Bluff on the Antarctic continent, and had the most awesome day – sunshine, wildlife at its best and most pristine.

Rosco, you will be happy to know that I saw a leopard seal, which is a very muscular and sleek beast – and much bigger than I expected. Not an animal you would want to meet while swimming! Grace, Dad also saw loads of Penguins and Antarctic fur seals. Many of the penguins were malting and not looking very happy as they have to fast while malting. They do not have sufficient feathers to protect them from the cold while in the water. Abby there are lots and lots of birds, a cute little one is the Antarctic tern, and an interesting bird is the Skua, ask your Mom to show you this bird on the internet…

Christine, lots of love, missing you and look forward to seeing you on the 28th March.

Download Day at the E-Base