Ship's Log: Once back on board, the Captain gave the order to weigh anchor and repositioned the ship to Damoy Point, which is adjacent to Port Lockroy and affords some protection from the Neumayer Channel. The Neumayer Channel is a narrow band of water separating Weincke Island in the east from the much larger Anvers Island to the west. Anvers is the largest island we encounter on the Antarctic Peninsula. Thanks to the exceptionally clear weather we were treated to a dramatic sight with lofty snow and ice capped peaks rising to 9,300 ft (2825 m) on Mount Francais.
Following lunch, we climbed back into the now familiar Zodiacs and a few minutes later found ourselves ashore on Damoy Point—location of a British Hut that has recently undergone restoration work by the British Antarctic Heritage Trust. The Expedition Staff, Program Directors and ship crew assisted everyone in getting from the Zodiacs up a steep rocky shore and onto a path in the snow leading to the hut. Many of us decided to take a longer walk up the snowfield for a more expansive view of the area.
Ship sitting among the icebergs.
Before we disembarked for our visit to the island we took a group picture on the top deck of the ship.
We had an easy landing on the rocky shore.
Beginning our hike up the snow field.
Expedition team's emergency rescue bag in case there was a hidden crevice and someone fell through.
This gives you a perspective as to the height and size of the glacier we climbed. The little red dots are people.
Looking back down at the ship sitting in the bay.
I made it to the top and my clothes were soaking wet from sweat with the heavy physical exertion required to make the climb. That is Port Lockroy that we visited earlier you can see behind me.
Damoy Hut was built as a summer transit station by the British Antarctic Survey team in 1975 to serve the airstrip that was located here until 1994.
It amazed me how nature could carve and shape the icebergs into some spectacular designs.
Looking back you can see the path we made hiking up.
There were some seals taking advantage of the beautiful sunshine on a floating ice piece.
You can see the amount of ice that sits below the water surface on the ice pieces.
The sun shining on the snow covered mountains was beautiful.
Ship's Log: The officers in the bridge spotted some rather tall dorsal fins after dinner! So we put on our parkas and headed back out on deck for what turned out to be an unbelievable display of Orca Whales!! There must have been 30 or so individuals all around our ship amidst another beautiful Gerlache Strait sunset. Orcas are infrequently seen on Antarctic expeditions so this was a special treat. Even better, these whales did not have any inhibitions in approaching M/V Corinthian. We had whales literally popping up right beside the ship. Apparently belonging to the “Type A” ecotype, these whales are the largest individuals that frequent Antarctic waters. They are known to feed on other marine mammals, mainly Minke Whales. The Captain kindly altered course and slowed down the ship to facilitate everyone getting a chance to see the apex predator of the world’s oceans.
Seeing the large pod of whales was simply amazing. Everyone, including the crew, were running around the decks like school age kids watching them play.
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