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DEL.ICIO.USUGA Study Abroad: An icy dip
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Eleanor and the UGA group have some icy fun in Antarctica. Check back tomorrow for their explorations. To catch up on the story, click here.
We visited the Antarctic continent for the second time, only following our first day’s landing at Brown Bluff. A step hill rose above the Argentine station at the shore. We climbed the hill to have vast views of the glaciers, icebergs and snow-covered mountains.
After a brief photo shoot of the 360-degree landscape, we headed for the human-toboggan sledding hill. Leaving our cameras and other breakables at the top, we lined up for the descent. The safety-conscious people went down on their butts, while thrill-seekers went headfirst. For those needing momentum, we yelled, “Paddle like a penguin.”
Once it was my turn, I gained a running start and dove headfirst down the slope. The slope wasn’t smooth or flat in the least, so when I hit humps, I’d gain air before smacking against the slope again. As I flew down, I grabbed a pair of sunglasses passing to my right. At the bottom, my oh-so-sweet friends greeted me by chunking snowballs at my face. I found yet another use for sunglasses: snowball protectors.
On my second slide, I followed a colleague’s lead and descended part of the way headfirst on my back. We also performed some impressive 360’s to show off.
After everyone finished a second slide, a huge snowball fight began. With 20 people pelting snowballs, you never knew who threw the bullet. Some of the snow had frozen into ice, and those ice balls hurt upon contact. People would tackle others from behind. By the end of the fight, we were all sopping wet despite our waterproof outer layers.
Throughout the day, our entire group bugged Damon, the expedition leader, about organizing a polar plunge. Since hearing about the opportunity to jump into the freezing-cold Southern Ocean, we were determined to do so.
Back on our ship, Damon said anyone wanting to do a polar plunge had 20 minutes to be in and out of the water. And so the insanity began. Having a snowball fight was extremely cold and yet we still wanted to strip off all clothes to jump in the water that is colder than the air.
Twenty-five people put on bathing suits and lifejackets, and stood on the third floor’s port walkway. The crew lowered the gangplank. One by one, people walked down the gangplank. Two crewmen stood at the bottom to dip people in and then immediatley jerk them up. As my turn approached, I questioned what the heck I was doing. I figured I wouldn’t be back to Antarctica any time soon, so I might as well make the best of it.
I ran down the gangplank. I held the forearms of the crewmen and then stepped off into the freezing-cold water.
As soon as my head went under, the crewmen yanked me out of the water. All I could do was scream. My whole body was covered in chill bumps instantaneously. My bright red fingers and toes couldn’t move.
Who cares about those minor details. I have done a polar plunge in Antarctica!
Permalink | Comments (1) | Categories: Antarctica
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By Lin
January 10, 2007 11:56 AM | Link to this
Extraordinary !!! Eleanor is a gifted writer… I can see and feel everything she is experiencing. Thank You Eleanor. Keep the reports coming.