Archive for category: Inspiring Explorers’ Expeditions™

After a short break and some time to process her experience in Antarctica, we caught up with Inspiring Explorer Caragh Doherty to get her perspective on the expedition, find out the highlights of the trip and the big challenges she faced.

What was your favourite part of the trip?

My favourite moment was when we were in Paradise Bay sitting in a kayak facing all the glaciers. It was 360 degrees being surrounded by ice that I felt so small, and so humbled by Mother Nature all around me. It was the most raw, beautiful pure moment of my life. It was amazing.

Dairy entry: Sunday 10th March 2019

After lunch we set out Kayaking.  What an amazing kayak it was.  We kayaked through so much brash ice. The noise it makes, the shapes of the ice, the way it bobs up and down in the ocean and the way it pops as it starts to melt in the ocean. We paddled quite far this afternoon and ended up in Paradise cove. A remarkable spot at Admiral Brown Base. We were almost surrounded by glaciers. They were shaped like dominoes and just looked amazing. Then you heard this thunderous crash and there would be a slide in the ice. Some would end up in the water, and a significant swell reached our kayaks. That was the moment when it struck me about how powerful Mother Nature is and is certainly not a force to be reckoned with. I felt very small compared to the massive ice, which we were surrounded by.

What went through your mind when you were arrived back in Ushuaia after 10 days aboard the Akademik Ioffe?

It was more what was happening to my body than my mind. It was rocking, and even we got onto land my body was still rocking. I was sad that we were finishing that chapter of our lives, and remember thinking “I hope we don’t just go back to our everyday lives, but that we keep the story going.” Although, I did have mixed emotions arriving back in Ushuaia, because while it meant saying goodbye to everyone, I was one step closer to getting home to my kids who I missed terribly.

When you go out and share your story, what will be the thing you want to share most?

I want to share the legacy of Antarctica. I want people to know how powerful Mother Nature is, and how untouched the planet can be. We’ve altered the planet so much in the society we live in. We have wrecked a lot of the environment and if we could just simplify things and preserve what things we have rather than get rid of parks and put up more buildings.

What was the most challenging part of the trip?

There were a couple. Definitely getting in and out of the kayaks, especially from the zodiacs. It was difficult enough on land, but add in the layers you are wearing, the ocean and the ice and the zodiac, and there were several made-for-YouTube moments, but I didn’t fall in so that was a good thing. The other challenge was the same but in reverse when we had to get back out of the kayak and into the zodiac.

What did you learn or discover about yourself

I learnt I can do anything. I can go anywhere, and mix and mingle with anyone. Before this trip I did underestimate my own ability and doubt my place in the world, but little ole Caragh from little ole Otara – we rocked it in Antarctica. Especially being older, I wondered how I would keep up, but it was fine.

Diary entry: Sunday 3 March 2019

So, what a busy few days we have had with soooo many first and new experiences for me. Talk about lost child at the airport, not even knowing how to check in. Lucky for Toni (Mele’s dad) guiding us through the process. It was so cute that the families and school family came to the airport. I said goodbye to my two boys at home and surprisingly I was ok (as were they). I was glad to be sitting with the girls (Mele and Lana so I could keep an eye on them and felt a sense of ‘normal’ to the very ‘un normal’ situation I was in. I feel a sense of protection and guardianship towards the girls and even more so – to their parents.  But at the same time I want then both to grow immensely on this trip.

What was something you experienced that was different to your expectations?

The other guests on the boat were worldly and well-travelled so I wasn’t sure what to expect of them or how I would fit in, but everyone was so relatable. The whole ship became one big family. We all sat at different tables at meal times and moved around to meet people so by the end of the trip we were all friends. It was a lesson for me not to judge, because my expectation was that they would be different, but everyone was amazing.

When you go out and share your story, what will be the thing you want to share most?

I want people to know that they shouldn’t settle for what’s in front of them. Whether it’s your lounge, your local park or your school, you need to push your boundaries and get out and explore. Step out of your comfort zone because you never know where it will take you. For us it took us to Antarctica, for other people who knows where it will take them. I will say don’t just settle for what is right in front of your eyes, but see what else is out there. I also want people to know that we need to look after our planet, because it is precious and we need to take better care of it.

Diary entry: Monday the 4th of March 2019

Sitting on the bow of the boat and just staring out to sea is my favourite way to pass the time on the Drake Passage. So far we have seen many lighthouses and a range of birds. There is a keen birdwatcher on the boat so I will make sure to learn what I can from him. Today I say a very elegant albatross playing chicken with our boat. It was pretty staunch but eventually retreated. In due course the sun set and I could no longer see anything so retreated back inside.

Any comments about the team itself?

I didn’t realise how much the team and all their little quirks meant to me until the night they went camping. I stayed on the boat and ended up writing in my diary about how much I missed them. I couldn’t believe I was more homesick for my boat family, than my real family! Marco was like a goofy little brother and Georgie was like my big sister, even though she is younger than me, and Leah was my little sister. Everyone was so comfortable with each other, we were just who we were.

Would you recommend others apply for future expeditions and why?

Of course you should. Grab any opportunities that come your way and never underestimate your ability or fitness levels. Don’t doubt yourself, just go for it.

Do you have any advice for future expedition members?

Make the most of every opportunity given to you. The trip is full of opportunities to make connections and to challenge yourself. You definitely need to live in the moment because you can’t take back the time if you miss it.  I didn’t want to go in the single kayak, but I knew I would regret it if I didn’t, so I went and I did it.

Diary entry: Sunday 3 March 2019

We survived Buenos Aires and headed out early in the morning to Ushuaia. How about it, I had two seats to myself. Went out to dinner and it was hands down the best BBQ lamb ever, and the biggest!!

Now that you have settled back in at home, what’s next?

Georgie inspired me when she talked about her experiences as a solo camper so the day I came back I went with my partner to find out about buying a tent so we can do family holidays that aren’t touristy things. We are going to go and look for DOC campsites and go and explore Mother Nature around New Zealand. We’ve camped before but always borrowed kit and gone to the popular places. Now we’re going to head out simply and without the mod cons and have an adventure. The kids are so excited.

After a short break and some time to process her experience in Antarctica, we caught up with Inspiring Explorer Rosanna Price to get her perspective on the expedition, find out the highlights of the trip and the big challenges she faced.

What was your favourite part of the trip?

There were many moments but the highlight was definitely the night we spent on the ice. It was such a unique experience. I’ve never done anything like that before and I think I was a little bit nervous. When it was first floated that it was a possibility I thought we would be heading out with a sleeping bag and a tent. I imagined us sitting in the tent drinking hot chocolate. The next minute we got given a spade, told to walk up the hill, dig a hole and then tuck in our bivvy bag. I have gopro footage of me digging my hole in lots of real powdery snow, but I didn’t dig it deep enough because it was getting dark. Once you are in it, you just lie back and look at the stars. I woke up around 5am and the direction I was facing was perfect to see the sun rise. You could still see all the stars but the sun was this red glow coming up, and then all the colours started to change on the ice on the horizon, it was beautiful.

What went through your mind when you were arrived back in Ushuaia after 10 days aboard the Akademik Ioffe?

I was just really sad and I didn’t want to leave the ship. It was a whole surreal experience and I just want to do it all over again.

What was the most challenging part of the trip?

I got quite sick on the way back and it was challenging for me to call the doctor because I knew I was at risk of getting put in quarantine. In the end I was diagnosed with a chest infection and spent 24 hours away from the others. It was a spacious room though and I had an amazing view sleeping right next to the window.

I also know there was one time we were kayaking when we had the opportunity to paddle through an area between rocks. It was a bit like a washing machine with waves coming from everywhere. The instructor said that if we weren’t confident not to worry about doing it. I nearly didn’t go through, but the others did so I thought to myself “just do it”. It turned out to be fun and I even turned round and came back through it. It was quite thrilling.

Diary excerpt – March 12:

We have just explored an Antarctic volcano on Deception Island. This morning we paddled around the coast of the island, including through a choppy passage between a cliff and a high rock. The waves arose from all angles, making for such an exhilarating ride we did it twice. Humpback whales were spotted and playful seals followed our kayaks round the shore where we headed to the remnants of an abandoned whaling station in Whaler’s Bay. Seals everywhere!

What did you learn or discover about yourself

I learnt to trust myself a bit more and just have fun. But by the end of the trip I was really having a good time, rather than worrying about falling out of the kayak or hitting ice bergs.

Diary excerpt – March 7:

The weather has taken a turn – the waves have become bigger, wilder, crashing over the bow and sending the boat into a pendulum-like motion. On the top deck we have to be extremely careful. The winds can knock you over if you don’t hold onto the rails. We kitted up in our kayak gear today, in preparation for the adventure that awaits tomorrow. The prep consists of layering up our clothing, getting into a dry suit, pulling on a skirt which attaches to the kayak, securing our life-vest and practising entering the kayak. While all this was going on, it was snowing on the deck. Amazing.

What was something you experienced that was different to your expectations?

I didn’t expect the ice to be so amazing. The scale of it and how important it is. I was looking forward to all the wild life and animals, and seeing the whales up close, but for me actually the ice was breath taking. I was surprised by the magnitude of it, and how amazing the icebergs looked, how blue they are. I wasn’t expecting the colour, nor the wonderful shapes and sizes to be so captivating.

When you go out and share your story, what will be the thing you want to share most?

This expedition has made be even more aware of how important Antarctica is for the world and our environment. It really hit home on this trip how important it is that we look after our environment and our oceans. On a personal level, this trip is one of the highlights of my life. It’s so different from watching documentaries or seeing things online to actually being there. It has really inspired me to keep exploring and keep pushing myself.

What other messages will you be giving to audiences about the trip?

They will be about getting outside your bubble and outside your comfort zone, but also learning about your environment and learning about Antarctica and educating yourself.

You are travelling more than a century after the early Polar explorers who first visited the continent. How would you compare your experience with theirs, what would the similarities and differences be.

With modern technology and a vessel with all the comforts of home (showers, beds, hot meals), we travelled to Antarctica in relative luxury compared to the early polar explorers like Scott and Shackleton. I think the night on the ice may have been the closest experience to what they may have experienced in terms of discomfort (although definitely nowhere near the same degree), so I have a whole new level of respect for them. But I think the sense of wonder and amazement at this beautiful continent is inspiring no matter who you are, no matter when you visit Antarctica – whether a hundred years ago, today or a hundred years from now. I feel that just being there connected me to the great feats of these polar explorers.

Diary excerpt – March 11:

Today we stepped back in time by visiting Port Lockroy, a historic site maintained by Antarctic Heritage Trust’s sister Trust, the UK Antarctic Heritage Trust. We explored the station here, Base A, which was established in 1944. The facilities have been preserved right from the tins of food, to the Reader’s Digest catalogues, to the scientific equipment, as well as sleeping and living quarters. We mailed postcards to ourselves from Port Lockroy’s famous Penguin Post Office – they won’t make it back to us until November as the staff, (including AHT’s own Conservation Programme Manager Al Fastier), have left for the season. In the afternoon we kayaked around Argentinean base Almirante Brown Station, to Paradise Bay. The Bay is a stunning vista filled with tall mountains, glaciers, and brash ice on a still harbour. Mike, Mele and I chose to hike up a hill, to view the beauty from above.

What skills did you bring to the team, and how were you able to use those skills on this trip?

I wrote the daily updates back to the Trust. It was challenging because we couldn’t send images so I had to create word pictures to describe views and experiences that actually defied words. I feel like I got to know the team well and build a good rapport with everyone. Particularly it was important to hang out with Mele and Lana who I will be keeping in touch with over the next year as part of my mentoring outreach programme.

Any comments about the team itself?

I don’t think there is a better bunch of people I could have gone on the expedition with. We gelled so well together. Everyone was really encouraging of one another, and helpful and excited for each other. I really miss hanging out with the team.

Would you recommend others apply for future expeditions and why?

Yes, yes. Of course. You really grow as a person, you get to experience Antarctica and you make connections that will last a lifetime.

Do you have any advice for future expedition members?

Take a moment to put down your camera and just experience being there, and absorb it. Waking up in Antarctica – that is the moment that has really stayed in my mind. I wasn’t focused on getting out my phone at that moment. Just breathing and being there. I’ll remember that for the rest of my life.

You joined the group for the Polar Plunge – tell us about that ‘chilling’ experience

The polar plunge was epic. Although I wasn’t feeling well, I definitely forced myself to do it because how many people can say they went for a swim in Antarctica? Now I can!

The morning we were in Whalers Bay before we got ready to go kayaking, the guide said to wear our togs in case we wanted to go for a polar plunge. Then once we were on shore we stood on the edge of the water in a group waiting for the first person to make a move and start undressing. When I saw Georgie ditching the dry suit, I though “this is it”. Then we quickly stripped off and ran in. A passenger from Kazakhstan did it about three times. I managed about two strokes and then ran back out. It was so much fun. They had staff on the shore with towels and then they zoomed us back to the ship for hot chocolates, a plunge into the hot tub and then into some hot showers.