RWSE Day 12: Wrapping Up … and a BBQ

As we slowly cruised along the Ekström Ice Shelf, EL Sara called for a group photo on the bow deck.

Most of us were already on the bow … those who weren’t joined us after bundling up against the ‘balmy-for-Antarctica’ temperature … 17F (-8C) at the time. Captain Remmert obliged by giving the order to close in on the ice shelf … remaining a safe distance from the terminus in case of an unexpected calving. What a great background for the photo op!

The Daily Recap was next. Steaming hot beverages in hand, we sat down to hear what EL Sara might have in store for us now that we had arrived at the continent.

She started out by sharing the navigation chart showing where we were. Then, on a satellite image from the Polar View app, she showed how we cruised around iceberg D32 to get between it and the Ekström Ice Shelf. The idea is to follow a band of ice-free water and see where it takes us. The wind and sea states both look like they will cooperate … the ice seemingly as well. While we all want to get into the ice, and know that we will eventually reach fast ice, we’d rather it be later rather than sooner … so that we can get as deep into the Weddell Sea as possible. We are, after all the Remote Weddell Sea Expedition … we need to live up to that name.

There were no briefings tonight. No time for them as we would be partaking in an Antarctic tradition … a barbecue dinner on deck!!!

On our previous expeditions, this tradition was upheld during the day. This one would be under the stars … with the temperature much colder. I mean, think about it … we had an ice shelf to our starboard and a number of icebergs around us … not to mention D32 not too far away. We needed to add several more layers under our parkas to stay warm.

The staff had already set up tables and benches on deck; drinks were lined up like good little soldiers … mulled wine was ready in an insulated thermos dispenser; the grill was smoking with a variety of meats; corn on the cob was boiling in a pot; a variety of greens and salads were in tubs on the buffet; and of course, there was dessert, too!

Huddling close together with fellow-passengers, we ate our dinner — perhaps scarfed it down is a better description. The sooner the ‘dancing under the stars’ portion of the evening began, the warmer we would be. It was a fun evening and a great way to celebrate our arrival in Antarctica … with snow flurries falling. That said, a hot shower was probably not far from anyone’s mind!

By the way, this afternoon we went through one last round of mandatory biosecurity inspections … to ensure that we don’t introduce anything from the sub-Antarctic islands we’ve visited into the pristine Antarctic ecosystem. Every piece of clothing and anything else we intend to take ashore was inspected again. Vacuum cleaners were pressed into service to remove any organic matter that might be hiding in nooks and crannies of pockets or caught on Velcro closures. Since we will remain in the Antarctic until we head back across the Drake at the tail end of our expedition we won’t have to do this inspection again.Meer informatie