Introduction to today's journey
Today's journey takes us around the bottom of Adelaide Island to Red Rock Ridge, where I arrive on Antarctica making landfall on the continental mainland. I explore the Adelie penguin colony and climb some of the hill before we cruise around the penguin colony. From this southern point, we now start heading northwards marking the start of my pan-American journey towards the Arctic Circle. We leave Red Rock Ridge cruising across the bay to Stonington Island where we paddle through the dark icy water under the dramatic mountain of Nemy Island. We then head ashore to explore the historic British Stonington Base before cruising out heading back around the side of Adelaide Island to continue northward along the Antarctic Peninsula.
Today's Journey
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We arrive here at Red Rock Ridge in Margurite Bay in the early morning. This is as far south as we can go before reaching the ice pack. |
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Making my first landfall on the Antarctic Mainland, I am greeted by one of many Adelie penguins here at Red Rock Point. |
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The zodiacs ferrying people from the ship anchored dwarfed amongst the giant icebergs. |
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After exploring the area we sail in the zodiacs around the colony where the penguins relax atop the ice topped rocks. |
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We return to the ship and cruise northwards towards Stonington Island. This is the back view of Red Rock Ridge. |
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Kayaking just off Stonington Island sheltered by Stingray Island behind me. |
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One of the abandoned huts at Stonington Base on top of the island. This was once a British research station. |
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The end of a large glacier just across the channel from the island. Most of the bases along the Antarctic Peninsula are on small islands as the mainland is covered in these enormous glaciers making settlement impossible. |
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Back on board the ship, looking across the channel to Roman IV Rock, named due to the pefect IV shape in the ice-filled gullies. |
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Heading around Stingray Island as the sun sets in the distant horizon. From here we cruise back around Adelaide Island overnight. |
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