Antarctic Peninsula 2020

INSPIRING EXPLORERS™ 2020

credit: Antarctic Heritage Trust

Antarctic Peninsula

The 2020 Inspiring Explorers Expedition™ team travelled to the Antarctic Peninsula in early March aboard a Quark Expeditions vessel, the Ocean Endeavour.

The expedition was led by Marcus Waters, the Trust’s General Manager Partnerships and Commercial, and ably supported by Olympic kayaker Mike Dawson, who joined for his second Inspiring Explorers Expedition™ as kayaking mentor. The team included five Inspiring Explorers selected from nationwide applications, two students from Sir Edmund Hillary Collegiate and their Deputy Principal under an ongoing partnership. Three official supporters of the Trust joined the group as full fare-paying passengers.

During the voyage, they experienced the challenges and rewards of kayaking through pristine playgrounds of whales and seals, navigating between icebergs, and exploring glaciers and penguin colonies.

They faced a further challenge on the return from their Antarctic expedition as the COVID-19 pandemic escalated and brought about worldwide travel restrictions, and country-wide lockdowns, including in Argentina, which meant disruption to their journey back to New Zealand. The team managed this situation with excellent spirits and came together even more so as a team during an uncertain time, arriving safe and well six days after their scheduled return to New Zealand.

This expedition truly offered the young explorers a chance to push themselves in all sorts of ways, to connect with experts, and learn about Antarctica’s history, science, wildlife, and environment, as well as the legacy of exploration in Antarctica. Throughout the expedition and its challenging return trip, the team shared in the same spirit of exploration of the early polar explorers like Scott and Shackleton, whose remarkable legacy the Trust cares for on behalf of humanity.

Read the Expedition Updates to follow their journey.

17 March 2020

Silence and Still Waters

We were lucky to have a beautiful clear day to paddle in the Errera Channel where we had a visit from a Minke whale circling our kayaks! The wind picked up in the late morning, which was a good test of our paddling skills, and we were pleased to reach land for our visit to Danco Island.

The afternoon excursion to Neko Bay gave us our first steps on mainland Antarctica! For many of our new friends on the ship, this was a time to celebrate making it to their seventh continent.

Exploring Wilhelmina Bay and Portal Point in low lying cloud the following day was a striking contrast to the bright skies experienced at Danco Island and Neko Bay. Paddling between the giant icebergs, which stretched on forever and into the cloud was an eerie experience. The water was very still, with a satin-like sheen, in a deep blue almost black colour. It was a moving experience paddling in such a stunning, mysterious yet serene landscape. The silence and still waters were only interrupted by the calving of icebergs, a massive roar of crashing ice, sending a chaotic series of waves bouncing around the area for a good few minutes after.

It also happened to be Owain’s birthday, and what better way to celebrate than taking a quick dip in the 2.6 degree Celcius ocean! The Polar Plunge was definitely a highlight, with most of the ship passengers lining up to jump off the gangway for a crisp swim, celebrated with a round of drinks afterwards, of course.

Portal Point marked our last landing on the Antarctic Peninsula, and provided stunning 360-degree views over the water. It was a beautiful place to sit and reflect, looking out over the ocean, snow falling, thinking about what an incredible, important, breathtaking place Antarctica is.

Written by Inspiring Explorer™ Ihlara McIndoe

11 March 2020

First day in Antarctica

Our first sighting of an iceberg yesterday morning made everything seem real – we were almost at Antarctica!

“Icebergs are like sleeping giants, floating silently, ominously. But you can’t get too close in case one wakes up, breaks apart, and shows us its hidden power.” – Owain

It was a pleasant surprise to be told that we could have our first excursion yesterday afternoon. Unfortunately the water was too rough to kayak, but we were able to visit Robert Island, one of the South Shetland Islands, where we saw Chinstrap and Gentoo Penguins, Fur Seals and Elephant Seals, as well as a stunning view over a collection ice-covered islands.

This morning we woke up to the Antarctic Peninsula, and perfectly still water. We set off at 7am on the kayaks in Mikkelsen Harbour. Our numb fingers and toes were a reminder that we are now in Antarctica! (We got the double-layered socks and gloves sorted for this afternoon though!). We also stopped to see some old water boats – relics from the whaling days. Here we also had a wonderful time as we watched penguins learning to swim!

This afternoon was a great contrast to the calm waters of the morning. Battling the swell around Spert Island was an exciting challenge, as we negotiated the swirling waters between sheer cliff faces, and had our first experiences kayaking up close to icebergs.

“My highlight would be kayaking in clear blue water, but also in the rough sea. The water is one of my fears so kayaking in the rough sea was a good challenge.” – A’aifou

We stopped for afternoon tea and were treated with a pod of humpback whales hunting near our boat!

Our third kayak session of the day was at Cierva Cove, a stunning landscape of daunting cliff faces and gigantic ice sheets. The water in that area was full of brash ice, which we had a fantastic time negotiating our way through. This was a particularly striking landscape, and was especially exhilarating to experience in the evening as the sky gradually got darker.

“I loved how blue the water is and how it reflects the ice. The rocks all blend in – brown, green, red, white – all the little pieces together.” – Jaylee

It’s been an exciting first day in Antarctica. We can’t wait to keep exploring!

“Everything was a highlight. Everything surprised me”. – Sadra

Written by Inspiring Explorer™ Ihlara McIndoe

9 March 2020

Eyes on the Horizon

Yesterday we flew from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia after two nights in BA , and a full day which we spent visiting the famous cemetery where Eva Peron lies, the art gallery, and La Boca. The vibrant colours and warmth of Buenos Aires gave us a newfound energy after twelve hours travelling.

Yesterday’s arrival in Ushuaia was somewhat of a shock, with temperatures dropping from 30 degrees celsius in Buenos Aires to around 9 degrees in Ushuaia. The crisp Southern breeze blowing over the ocean to the town served as a reminder of where we are headed. There’s something quite magical about Ushuaia, sitting at the bottom of majestic yet brutal mountains, staring out at the ocean, with the Antarctic Peninsula out somewhere beyond the horizon. We imagine that Ushuaia turns to hibernate in the winter time, when the cold winds and storms from the giant Southern icy continent become too much for the isolated town at nearly the bottom of the world.

We set off from land last night, headed towards the notorious Drake Passage. For now it is calm, although some of us are still getting used to the constant movement of the sea.

“Not gonna lie, there were times I wanted to be on land today – but I know that good things come to those who wait!” – Sadra

Standing on the top deck with our eyes on the horizon helps a lot, and is a good opportunity to bird watch – so far we have seen albatross and petrels, and even a very brief whale sighting.

“It took me three years to say yes to this opportunity because of the fear of not seeing land. But I spent today on the deck and realised that home is always home. The ocean is the albatross’s home. It was freewheeling, and going with the flow. I realised that every day is an opportunity.” – Andrew (Official Supporter)

There are various lectures being run on the ship, which we are making the most of. We have been briefed on the safety protocols for kayaking, and are hoping to be able to get out on the water later tomorrow. We feel so lucky to have this wonderful opportunity to learn and challenge ourselves.

“It’s unbelievable. We are from Otara, South Auckland, and to be able to be on the boat and look at the sea. Two Pacific Island students going to such an amazing continent in the world is cool.” – Jaylee

“I feel comforted by the fact that I couldn’t see land. I’m a bit of a workaholic, and my work phone tends to be an extension of my hand. So it’s been nice just being able to let go and connect with other people and enjoy the moment.” – Laurette

“I think for me it was lovely to have a day to think a bit. The main thing in my thoughts was seeing all the young people evolving and growing, their strengths starting to come out, and seeing them relating to each other. What will tomorrow bring? It will be even better.” – Bill (Official Supporter

But for now, our bellies are full from the ship’s buffet dinner, and we are all set for an early night, ready to recharge for a day of watching the ocean, and keeping an eye out for the creatures that live in and off of it.

Written by Inspiring Explorer™ Ihlara McIndoe

click here to Read blogs from the 2020 Inspiring Explorers Expedition™

Olympic kayaker Mike Dawson

Meet Mike…

Antarctic Heritage Trust is thrilled to be partnering for a second year with Olympic kayaker Mike Dawson, who joins the Inspiring Explorers Expedition™ as a kayaking mentor.

Mike Dawson was born in Tauranga in 1986 and Rotorua is his home base. After taking up kayaking at a young age, the sport quickly became his main focus.

During his career he competed in two Olympic Games, has achieved silver and bronze medals in extreme kayaking championships, and has participated in kayaking expeditions in Chile, Uganda, Pakistan and beyond…

Antarctic Peninsula

17 March 2020

11 March 2020

9 March 2020

Meet Mike…

Meet the 2020 Inspiring Explorers™

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