Violet Antarctic Sunset

Modern Caird on Pt Wild

Historic Caird on PT Wild
 

 

The Expeditions Updates

Excerpt from Fathom Expeditions' Trip Logs

"Some of our zodiacs lucked into seeing a whole lot more than “logging”, in particular, Rob Reader and Rob Williams drove a boat that had four humpbacks “spy-hopping” within 20 feet at the same time, sticking their heads clear of the water in order to peer at Rob’s zodiac passengers. Others reported amazement when humpbacks swam just under their boats, with their long (perhaps up to 16 ft) white pectoral fins clearly visible in the clear waters. After two-and-a-half hours in the small boats, the snow had mostly abated and visibility was increasing as a few spots of blue sky appeared. Once back on the big ship, the lounges were full of people excitedly comparing photos and video clips. Ushuaia came out of Wilhelmina Bay and turned southward into the Gerlache once again."

Fathom Expeditions' Clients Relive Historic Boat Landing From Shackleton's Endurance Expedition of 1914-16.

Point Wild, Elephant Island, Antarctica:

"After an evening cruise through the enormous tabular icebergs of the Weddell Sea, we found ourselves off famed Elephant Isle. The conditions were calm with broken clouds which provided sun spots to light up the nearby ice. Our first view, Cape Lookout, was filled with jagged peaks and pinnacles that seemed to cover every point of land. Crevassed glaciers tumbled down directly to the sea and the surf seemed to surge up the cliffs throwing spray in every direction.

The dramatic spit of land called Point Wild represents one of the most beautiful and historic landings in Antarctica. Today, we Zodiaced ashore from the ship, landing on the very beach visited by Shackleton and his men in 1916. Based on the conditions, the decision was made to also launch our 22-foot James Caird replica boat and to row ashore, past a fantasia of icebergs, to recreate Shackleton’s landfall on the beach.

No other expedition since Endurance has managed this feat and we all felt a sense of pride as we made modern history in such esteemed company. What an amazing time everybody had rowing Her through the ice in the bay and onto shore as if re-creating Frank Hurley's Endurance Expedition photographs. It was another very special day in Antarctica, thoroughly enhanced by the enormous penguin rookery, the beautiful weather and the overwhelming scenery."

With field notes such as this, it is no wonder we look forward to the next program with great anticipation.