In an attempt to outpace a sinister looking low-pressure system coming in from the southwest, we sped north to the top of the Tabarin Peninsula where, to our delight, the sun still shines. Gourdin Island is our destination: a dramatic volcanic tricorn slab of basalt peppered with a penguin trio of gentoos, chinstraps, and Adelies. A majority of the latter are juveniles, and ones which nearby leopard seals waste no time pursuing for a next meal when an unsuspecting chick ventures to closely. Our Zodiac weaves in and out of ice floes and rolling icebergs in an area packed with wildlife, wonder, and wilderness. This is Antarctica.
2/28/2025
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Northbound Drake Passage, Cape Horn, and the Beagle Channel
This morning, we had a later start than usual after a late night enjoying the crew show. Our galley team gifted us with a fulfilling brunch. We then had a brilliant forum about climate change with the participation of our panel of experts onboard. Afterward, our expedition leader called us to the bow to see Cape Horn, which was only a few miles ahead. The good weather allowed us to have a smooth and fast crossing, allowing extra time to swing by Cape Horn, the most southern tip of the Americas. Over the PA system, Steven provided a very interesting description of the historical importance of this area, then Pablo read a beautiful poem, a memorial to the seaman lost at sea. We could see the monument in the distance, two metal sheets that depict an albatross in flight. During the afternoon, we enjoyed Madalena’s presentation about Women in Antarctica. This was an incredible voyage through the struggles and delays of allowing women to participate in science and logistics in Antarctica. We entered the Beagle Channel around 17:00 and we encountered black-browed albatrosses, cormorants, dolphins, and whales. On our final approach to the beautiful city of Ushuaia, we passed by Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse and some of the seals that live in the Bridges Islands Archipelago.
