Plog: Going Inside Shackleton’s Nimrod Hut

Friday, 30 January 2015 (part II)
In the Ice — Ross Sea
Current Position: 76°05’ S / 166°38’ E

Like Amundsen and Scott, Shackleton dreamed of being the first to achieve the South Pole.

He first came to these polar latitudes as a member of the 1901-1904 Discovery Expedition, which was led by Scott.  On that trip, he accompanied Scott and Wilson — both of who were to die in 1912 after achieving the South Pole — on a journey that set a record by marching south to 82° … further than anyone else before them.  Unfortunately, Shackleton was shipped home when his health started to fail after the march, but it lit a polar fire in his veins that was not to be extinguished.

Third-Time Lucky: Cape Royds … Before Ortelius Turns its Bow North

Friday, 30 January 2015 (part I)
In the Ice — Ross Sea
Current Position: 76°05’ S / 166°38’ E
Temps: 32F (0 C) @ 6:45a (UTC +12)
Distance Since Ushuaia: 4,195 NM (4,827 miles / 7,769 km)

Moral indignation is jealousy with a halo.
H. G. WELLS

An early morning today — with pre-breakfast pastries and coffee in the bar at 5:45a; and the first passenger group scheduled to fly ashore to visit the Nimrod Hut at Cape Royds — popularly known as Shackleton’s Hut — at 6:15a.  According to the posted list, our two-person Group H was estimated to fly last at 7:25a.  Well, the snacks were in the bar on time, but everything else lagged a while.  No matter, we had a gorgeous day and enjoyed the sunshine on the bridge deck.

On Expedition Day 22 we visit Cape Royds before Ortelius turns its bow north.

New Harbour: Zodiac Cruise & Play Time On an Ice Floe

Thursday, 29 January 2015 (part III)
Off Cape Royds — McMurdo Sound
Current POSITION: 77°34’ S / 165°49’ E

After a wonderful morning during which we enjoyed great wildlife sightings  from the ship and a heli flight over the fast sea ice to the Dry Valleys, the day continued to treat us well, giving us an opportunity to do even more in the afternoon.

We were starving by the time we returned to the ship from the Dry Valleys, so we headed to the dining room immediately.  There was plenty of time before our turn to go for a zodiac cruise, which we were actually hoping would be delayed until later in the day as the orcas had by this time moved on.

Dry Valleys: A Unique Place in Antarctica

Thursday, 29 January 2015 (part II)
Off Cape Royds — McMurdo Sound
Current POSITION: 77°34’ S / 165°49’ E

A spectacular start to our day (post here) … breathtaking scenery, emperor and Adélie penguins; countless orcas up close; and fast ice as far the eye could see.  And if that wasn’t enough — we were ferried to the Dry Valleys by helicopter!  Just amazing.  (The map is in the previous post linked above.)

For the flight, we were paired up with a couple from Germany.  “It will be a tight-fit in the four seater that’s on the pad,” Jim said and gave us two options — split up one couple or wait for the five-seater.  Mui and I agreed to split up, with him following in the next chopper.

New Harbour: Orcas … Not Killer Whales

Thursday, 29 January 2015 (part I)
Off Cape Royds — McMurdo Sound
Position: 77°34’ S / 165°49’ E
Temps:  30F (-1 C) @ 7:15a (UTC +12)
Distance Since Ushuaia: More than 3,848 NM (4,428 miles / 7,126 km) … Bridge still Closed; no new reading

Always remember you are absolutely unique.  Just like everyone else.
Margaret Mead (American Cultural Anthropologist)

WOW!  WOW!  WOW!  An utterance that has not been far from the tip of my tongue since Ortelius arrived in the Ross Sea Region.  From that first glimpse of the Ross Ice Shelf rising out of the sea mile after mile … to the flight over the mighty barrier shining bright and white under the sun the next day … to Cape Evans where sunshine and blue skies added to our pleasure of the spectacular scenery and walk back into history.  And then there was today … another day that left me speechless … WOW!  WOW!  WOW!

Expedition Day 21 … a spectacular one that made me forget that we
lost yesterday to the black hole of the International Date Line.