We had a beautiful transit through Lemaire Channel early this morning with high mountain ridges towering above the ship and glaciers on the mainland side. About halfway into the channel, we encountered a pod of orca whales. We made a 360-degree turn to follow them for a bit before turning back south to make our way to Port Charcot. We disembarked and spent time on Booth Island with various colonies of gentoo, chinstrap, and Adelie penguins. Everyone had the option to take Zodiac cruises through the iceberg garden in the bay. After lunch, we made our way back through the Lemaire Channel to the aptly named Paradise Harbor for our final Zodiac cruise of the expedition.
2/20/2024
Read
National Geographic Resolution
Cape Horn and Beagle Channel
The huge distances we have covered on this journey meant that our last full day was spent almost completely at sea on our return leg from Antarctica. After a merciful lie-in, we crowded the decks as we sailed past Cape Horn, the majestic headland at the bottom tip of Hornos Island, the southernmost point of Tierra del Fuego and the entire South American continent. Despite its fearsome reputation, pleasant seas allowed for an enjoyable brunch before we plunged into our presentation schedule for the morning and afternoon. Naturalist Gail Ashton related her experience of living on the Antarctica continent for 18 months, Jonny Reid discussed marine mammal acoustics and the underwater soundscapes of this region, and Jess Farrer explained how the study of whale and seal poop can tell us so much about these animals. As we entered the Beagle Channel, the stunning mountains of Tierra del Fuego lined our passage to Ushuaia. Gathering in the Ice Lounge for the captain’s farewell party, we toasted a hugely enjoyable trip and the new friends we have made.
