This windy and desolate outpost is tucked into the Beagle Channel and surrounded by peaks and glaciers.
We will meet at the airport by Robert Swan and his team leaders and taken to our hotel. We will stay three nights in our hotel high up on the mountain above town. Depending on our arrival time, the remainder of the day is for us to relax and get ready to begin our expedition.
One
of our 2041 Team Leaders will check our clothing and gear to ensure we have
everything we need for our Antarctic journey. Then dinner.
Day 2: Ushuaia - Friday 1 March 2013
The
“Leadership on the Edge” program begins today with a “meet and greet” session
and team introductions. We have the
afternoon to get settled, purchase gear and relax. The dinner.
Day 3: Ushuaia - Saturday
2 March 2013
Today
begins with a hike up the Martial Glacier on the Martial Mountain behind town. We will work together in teams
to reach the top! Once we return to the
hotel, we will regroup to review our team
work on the mountain and continue with our Program. Tonight is an introductory team dinner.
Day
4: Antarctic Departure Day - Sunday 3 March 2013
We
prepare for our departure today. We will have a few hours after lunch to go into
town and do any final shopping, make calls home, etc. In the late afternoon we embark our ship the
Sea Spirit. As we step aboard, we will
realize just how far we have come - and the adventure has just begun! We enjoy our first dinner on-board after we
attend the Antarctic safety briefing on the deck of the ship. It’s time to start our voyage south!
Day
5: The Drake Passage - Monday 4 March 2013
Despite its reputation, there are times when it is called
the “Drake Lake”; at other times previous expeditions have encountered rough crossings with large
waves. Regardless, the size of the waves
and the force of the gale winds will take on gigantic proportions when relayed
to folks back home. As we cross the
Drake Passage, there will be a selection of multimedia lectures about
Antarctica, the timing of which is dependent on safety and weather conditions. We will also learn about the wildlife,
geology, history and geography of the Antarctic Peninsula from our on-board experts. We will be given IAATO guidelines for approaching the wildlife and
begin to discuss the importance of renewable energy and how it plays a vital
role in the preservation of Antarctica.
Day 6-11: Tuesday 5 March 2013 – Sunday 10 March 2013
Depending
on ice and weather conditions, the western coast of the Antarctic Peninsula is for us to explore. Our experienced leaders
will use their local knowledge to design our voyage from day to day
capitalizing on the best weather and ice conditions. Once we arrive in the
calmer waters of the Peninsula, we will make numerous shore landings in
inflatable rubber boats called zodiacs.
Cruising along spectacular ice shelves or following whales that are
feeding near the surface, we will soon appreciate the distinct advantage of
being on a small vessel, which gives everyone the opportunity to experience
these very special close encounters with the environment.
There
are many exciting places that we MAY visit if time and weather permit. Shore excursion decisions will be made daily on-board. Below are some places we may visit:
We take this opportunity to closely observe them and their habits as we stand beneath the giant peaks that rise around the island.
Our time among its calving glaciers and statuesque icebergs is a clear reminder of our goal of respecting and protecting this beautiful continent for future generations.
Surrounded by glaciers that dramatically calve into the sea, Paradise Harbour offers breathtaking mountain reflections into clear, unspoiled waters.
During our visit, we embark on a group hike and enjoy an incredible vista above the bay, towering over Argentina’s now abandoned Brown Station. Whales often seek shelter in this bay, and as we explore the shoreline by zodiac boat, we may be lucky enough to encounter a few humpback or minke whales up close.
Sometimes blocked by ice, the Lemaire reminds us that we must always be ready to adapt to the Antarctic elements.
Camping
in the Antarctic - Robert and his team leaders will take the team on an overnight
camping expedition on the Antarctic ice, weather permitting. This gives us the chance to experience the Antarctic
night as the early expeditions did at the turn of the century; however we are
fortunate to have the latest expedition equipment provided.
Day 12: King George Island - Monday 11 March 2013
We will have a chance to visit the site of Robert Swan’s 2008 “E-Base Goes Live” mission where he successfully became the first person in Antarctic history to live for two weeks solely on renewable energy. Later in the day we enter the Drake Passage.
Day 13: At Sea - Tuesday 12 March 2013
Sailing
home towards Argentina, team members enjoy a day at sea to with fellow team
members and reflect on all that has taken place during the expedition. A final wrap
up and award ceremony takes place as we leave Antarctic waters
Day 14: Ushuaia – Disembark - Wednesday 13 March 2013
We
disembark in Ushuaia in the early morning.
A location that mere days ago seemed wild and remote is now, in contrast
to the isolation of Antarctica, cozily familiar. We say our farewells all around and make our
way to the airport with the 2041 Team Leaders who will assure your safe
departure.
Very interesting itinerary. I'm so jealous... and the best thing is that you're doing it for a good cause, rather than just an adventure.
ReplyDeletePassing by, My prayers with you guyz!
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