It was a very early start for me catching the first plane of the day to Invercargill via Christchurch where I was welcomed by blasting cold winds and a mere 12C high. I spent the day getting some last minute things before meeting all the guests, staff and researches. There were a range of people from all different backgrounds all with one thing in common – a passion to go on this trip.
Up until now I really haven’t had a chance to really get excited but reality is setting in and I cant wait to get on the boat. We were briefed tonight that the ice in the Ross sea had already cleared which hasn’t been this good for eight years so the odds are in our favour to get to Scott Base. There are people from all walks of life including historians, birders, ecologists, outdoors people from all over the world but mainly the US and probably 70% of them have been to the Antarctic before. They say once this place gets in your blood its hard to get rid of it.
We leave bluff tomorrow and head to Snares Islands for a day, then Auckland islands for two days, then a day at sea before spending two days at Macquarie Island, then four days at sea on the southern ocean before reaching Cape Adare, Antarctica, then we have almost two weeks in Antarctica - including stops at Cape Adare, Cape Hallett, Mcmurdo sound, Scott Base, Mcmurdo Station, Hut Point, Observation Hill, Cape Evans, Cape Royds, Franklin Island, Ross Ice Shelf, Drygalski Ice tongue, Inexpressible Island, Possession Islands and Gondwana Station, then several days at sea before reaching Campbell island and then back up to bluff.
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