twangster

At the daily recap and briefing the topic was the wind and weather. We were supposed to head back towards the South Shetland Islands but the swell forecast would all but eliminate the idea of loading zodiacs so the decision was made to stay here in the protection of the Antarctic Sound. Instead of Half Moon Bay it will be Wilhelmina Bay. Wilhelmina Bay is just North of Orne Harbour and it encompasses a large area so we will find out more as we approach in the morning. Gert had just come back from coordinating our stop on Cuverville Island and upon his return to the ship minutes before this briefing he had been summoned to the bridge. The Captain didn't want to begin our Drake Passage transit on the original schedule. Instead we will pause waiting for the weather to improve. He has tasked Gert with finding us an area to explore for the afternoon while we wait. Since Gert had just learned of his new task he had yet to plan where we may go. This is the nature of expedition cruising and I didn't hear anyone complain we will remain longer in the Antarctica Peninsula for an extra stop. Stay tuned.

Just as it was time to leave a penguin blocked our path. At this intersection of the penguin and redcoat highways penguins have the right of way and we always yield to them so we had wait while it checked us out. Penguins are always on the go so it didn't take long and we were able to load a zodiac for our cruise back to the ship weaving through the wind blown ice. A short walk on land but it was very interesting to have some tile to watch the penguin drama playing out on and around the nests.

The nests in this section were easier to see. While over in the other area we saw penguins finding rocks for their nests further away and bringing them back some penguins are willing to steal rocks from a neighboring nest. That was happening a lot with these nests and there were some words being exchanged about it. The penguins had worn this deep path in the snow called a penguin highway. A Skua taking a rest on the snow.

The colony here on Cuverville Island is around 6,500 mating pairs but with all the snow they were concentrated in rocky areas where the winter snow had melted. It was interesting to take some time to watch individuals. This penguin appeared to be on a mission. He found a stone. Time to head back to the nesting area. Up the hill and jumping up rocks he arrived to present his effort. Here is another. I think he was getting the cold shoulder so he dropped it. Not far away on another rocky section free of snow more penguin drama was playing out as kayakers arrived in the background.

When it was my group's turn I headed down to the mud room and put my boots on. This is another wet landing with a walk on land so the expedition team will be further sanitizing our boots left in the mud room overnight. The ship has repositioned from earlier due to ice clogging up the bay. The wind had shifted and increased in strength. The zodiac ride was a little bumpy and didn't leave a lot of desire to take pictures. However once we got closer the water settled and we had a magnificent view of that arched iceberg, The redcoat highway was visible from our approach. Look at all that ice in the bay. The Silversea redcoat highway was distinct and separate from the penguin highway they have worn into the snow. Gentoo penguins on the nest!

After lunch I was waiting for the first zodiac groups to be called when this vessel sailed past. Clearly smaller than the Wind bit still a respectable sized motor vessel. More on that in a bit. Clouding over. Where are those beautiful blue skies? So many interesting looking icebergs. The pool has been open today and while not as warm as the hot tubs it was pretty warm today. Steam was rising from the pool. Always good to see the zodiacs being unloaded. That respectable sized motor vessel now looks tiny next to the face of the glacier. That is how big these glaciers are.

Over lunch the ship repositioned to Cuverville Island which is close to where we were yesterday. We've made it just ever so slightly more South than Orne Harbour.

360 Photo from this morning's zodiac ride Chiriguana Bay 360 Photo

It is premised entirely on peer pressure.

We were on the ship just long enough to contemplate life and consider this next challenge. The Polar Plunge. They gathered victims, I mean participants by deck number. Too late to back out now. I survived! Back in my suite I was able to watch some other participants enjoying the plunge.

Emily is our Geologist on the ship and today's she is our zodiac captain. She talks about the volcanic history of the mountains all around us and the factors that shape some of the patterns we see on the icebergs such as this one. After 75 minutes or so it was back to the ship.

Penguins are never far in Antarctica. Some zodiac selfies from my 360 camera.

This morning's zodiac tour of Chiriguana Bay is less about marine life and more about ice. Kayakers had another outing this morning. Beautiful weather again today makes the mountains pop. Marcus brings a piece of ice into the zodiac. We discuss various characteristics and the factors that shaped its features. They point out a crevice on the glacial face and how these can be hidden from view when walking on a glacier but they are a danger that can easily trap a person.

Every zodiac rides starts and ends with a visit to the mud room to retrieve your boot and exchange for your ship footwear. Here is the mud room on the Silver Wind.

Our morning starts with opening the curtains to see... whales. I'm going to miss this breakfast view.

I'm pleased to report the internet has been stable at the consistent speed for the premium plan.

Day 15 Chronicle: 2 JAN - Chiriguana Bay and Cuverville Antarctica.pdf

Day Fifteen - Chiriguana Bay and Cuverville Antarctica Position report: We've been doing laps overnight in the Gerlache Strait.

Sunset took a long time to progress tonight well after 10pm.

Daily briefing Chiriguana Bay and Cuverville tomorrow. and in between...

Data from my watch. Right around a one mile hike. 345' elevation gain

360 Camera photos. Orne Harbour View in 360 Orne Harbour Path in 360

After a few minutes it was time to descend the slip and slide but if penguins can do it... Back to the ship!

The views were pretty spectacular. There is a Chinstrap penguin colony up here. Some of the penguins climb higher than we did to reach their nests.

Dry landing onto the rocks and then the climb began. Almost there...