Shackleton Hike, Fortuna Bay to Stromness, 3/1/2018, National Geographic Orion
Aboard the
National Geographic Orion
Antarctica
The morning got off to a very bright sunrise with mirror seas as we approached our first location, namely Fortuna Bay and the starting point of the final leg of Shackleton’s hike across South Georgia on the 15th and 16th of May 1916.
The weather in the afternoon turned to rain but it did not stop us from landing at Grytviken where “the Boss” shook off his mortal coil, so consequently suitable toasts were made at Shackleton’s grave (and that of Frank Worsley) by our very own National Geographic Orion stand-in Peter.
Following a distinguished business career with Unilever PLC, Chris obtained a master’s degree in marine biology at the National Oceanography Centre (NOCS) at Southampton University in the U.K. and graduated in 2007 with first-class honours. From ther...
Growing up in a military family, Mark Coger has been traveling most of his life. While living in Japan, he developed his passion for videography. He began his venture in the field of video production by filming numerous events for a local high scho...
Today was our final day on this amazing voyage to South Georgia and the Falkland Islands. We awoke to the most beautiful sunrise over the city of Ushuaia, the world’s southernmost city and the capital of Tierra del Fuego. This morning we had the fantastic opportunity to visit a local maritime museum here in Ushuaia for a private opening. Afterwards, we enjoyed a wonderful drive through the nearby Tierra del Fuego National Park. After a relaxing afternoon onboard National Geographic Resolution , we were treated to tours of the Bridge, and then a special wine tasting in Tupaia with our incredible bar team. To round out our day, the captain finished our expedition in style with a fabulous cocktail party. We toasted our adventures to some of the most remote islands on the planet.
Until now, we have skirted the mercurial weather of the South Atlantic. Though the sun has been rare, we have been lucky with calm seas and easy access to some of the most exciting landing sights South Georgia and the Falklands have to offer. Today, as our trip nears its end, we had the opportunity to experience a small taste of the conditions that make this such a notorious region for seafarers and explorers. With sustained winds of up to 50 knots wrapping around Cape Horn, the ocean quickly began to churn. Our captain and bridge team found us shelter in the Beagle Channel where we spent the day appreciating the power of the ocean and the biodiversity of Tierra del Fuego. While onboard in the comfort of our new ship/home, National Geographic photographer Camille Seaman shared a collection of photographs she took throughout the last two weeks. Naturalists Madalena Pachaco and Bud Lenhausen shared stories of exploration and changing climates. Photo caption: The chart shows our way to protection from the storm in the Beagle Channel. Photo by Alex Krowiak
We continued sailing from the Falkland Islands to Ushuaia, crossing the Le Maire Strait and entering the Beagle Channel. On our way, we enjoyed spectacular landscapes as seabirds followed us.
