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DEL.ICIO.USUGA Study Abroad: A narrow passage
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Eleanor and the UGA group spend the day exploring Antarctica. Check back tomorrow for their explorations. To catch up on the story, click here.
We began our day at Snow Hill Island, the southernmost position east of the Antarctic Peninsula that we’ll visit. The highest point on the island reaches 300 feet and presents a wide plateau at the top.
Arriving at Devil Island in the afternoon, I braced myself for another climb. Devil Island has 10,000 pairs of Adelie penguins, but also two knobs, or horns, to ascend for views. After seeing a plethora of Adelies yesterday, I decided to choose the hiking option. The right horn has a summit with better views than Snow Hill.
I sat atop the summit for nearly 45 minutes gazing south to Vega Island and north to Trinity Peninsula, the northeasternmost part of the Antarctic Peninsula. The snow-covered mountains of Vega blended into the sky and I barely could determine where the snow ended and the clouds began. I can imagine that in the winter you can’t tell the boundaries of oceans, islands or clouds since they’re all stark white.
Back on the ship, our expedition leader said we were approaching the Fridtjof Sound. Everyone flocked to the outside decks to see the enormous icebergs within Fridtjof, some within rock-throwing distance of the ship.
The Captain had one particularly tight squeeze that worried many passengers. I knew the Captain wouldn’t take the ship anywhere he wasn’t comfortable, but still, my heart skipped. Two bergs formed a skinny gap only wide enough for our ship to pass between. At maximum, a few meters extra space existed on each side of the ship. Even without zooming my camera, the viewfinder showed pure white as a berg passed starboard side.
As soon as the stern cleared the squeeze, the boat burst into applause for the Captain*s remarkable navigation skills.
Penguin watching consumed yesterday while scenery and icebergs took the spotlight today. To my surprise, the scenery challenged the penguins for my trip favorite. I can*t think of any other place in the world where I’ve witnessed such serenity and untouched beauty.
Permalink | Comments (2) | Categories: Antarctica
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By Frances
January 4, 2007 8:28 PM | Link to this
What an incredible adventure! I feel as if I am seeing it through Eleanor’s eyes.
By Miriam Powell
January 5, 2007 8:10 PM | Link to this
What a remarkable experience Eleanor and her fellow travelers to Antartica are having! Her descriptions of the stark surroundings and the penquin colonies make the narrative come alive.