Brown Bluff and James Ross Island , 2/3/2022, National Geographic Resolution
Aboard the
National Geographic Resolution
Antarctica
As a new dawn crested the Antarctic landscape, National Geographic Resolution continued its journey through the ice and surrounding megafauna to arrive at Brown Bluff. This iconic locale on the northern end of the peninsula features colonies of gentoo and Adelie penguins. After enjoying the morning, we set sail for the rarely visited James Ross Island, setting loose Zodiacs and kayaks. We explored the waterfalls spilling off the cliffside and the seemingly infinite ice sculptures.
Paul North is the founder of the educational nonprofit Meet the Ocean and host of its online podcast. As a polar diver with Lindblad Expeditions/National Geographic, he tours the remote underwater landscapes of Antarctica and other sub-zero destinati...
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Today aboard National Geographic Resolution , it was a day filled with awe and adventure as the ship crossed the Antarctic Circle in the early hours of the morning. Guests woke to clear skies, snow-capped mountains, and colossal glaciers surrounding them in every direction. The first stop of the day was a morning landing at Detaille Island, where guests explored the historic British Antarctic Survey Base "W." This site, once a key research station during the 1950s, offered a fascinating insight into the history of Antarctic exploration. The afternoon brought more excitement with a kayaking excursion in the pristine waters of Skog Bay. Guests glided through the tranquil bay surrounded by towering icebergs and breathtaking scenery while keeping a lookout for wildlife. For the more adventurous, the Polar Plunge offered a true taste of Antarctica, with guests bravely taking the plunge into the frigid waters. The day ended with a recap of the day's experiences, followed by a delicious dinner, all while enjoying stunning views as the ship made its way further south. With the promise of more exploration and adventure to come, everyone aboard eagerly anticipates what tomorrow’s journey will bring in this remote and pristine part of the world.
National Geographic Resolution sailed south across the Drake Passage overnight. Seas were calm, but morning found us shrouded in fog as we made our way towards our first destination of the trip. As we grew nearer to Booth Island and Port Charcot, the fog began to lift and visibility improved. Things were looking promising by lunch time. Icebergs began appearing out of the mist and soon the Antarctic Peninsula came into view. As we steamed toward the French Passage, we began seeing humpback whales, first as blows a mile or more from the ship, but soon much closer. We spent the afternoon hiking among chinstrap and gentoo penguins, but the ice was the real star of today’s show. Towering icebergs in a dizzying array of shapes glowed in the sun as we watched whales surfacing and diving and occasionally breaching among them. There is something simply awe-inspiring about an animal that is more than 50 feet long throwing itself almost completely out of the water before crashing down to make an enormous splash. Why do they do it? Because they can. This is a storied part of the Antarctic Peninsula, with names like Gerlache and Shackleton and Charcot dotting the map. But today, nature stole the show as she so often does. The day simply could not have been more perfect.
Today may be a day at sea, but it is a full day for everyone on board! There is so much to go over in preparation for our arrival in Antarctica. First, there are the introductions to the natural history staff - each staff member is quick (times a’wastin’) and no one will remember everyone (that comes later). The natural history staff is diverse, and we all have more than one specialty: photography, marine mammals, botany, undersea, birds, geology, etc. The excitement continues to build this morning as Shelli, Assistant Expedition Leader, gives a briefing on our landing and Zodiac operations. The rest of the day brings scheduled talks on photography and sea birds. There is also plenty of great food. I see people wandering about the ship, getting use to their new home, and folks out on the decks. Late in the afternoon, we cross 60 degrees south latitude and enter what is the legal definition of Antarctica. Tomorrow we will see land. Just before dinner Captain Martin Graser welcomes us and introduces many of his officers. We are almost there, and we are ready!
