12 Feb 2025

Cruising at the snowy Cape Adare

Last night, we arrived at the Antarctic mainland, and this morning, we had fabulous close-up views of the snowy Cape Adare at the northern end of the Ross Sea. We could see Borchgrevink's Hut, the first building ever constructed in Antarctica, during the heroic age of exploration. Built in 1899, remarkably, it is still standing and has been restored by the Antarctic Heritage Trust.

Winds were gusting to 130 kilometres an hour, giving us a real experience of the harshness of Antarctic conditions. Groups of Adélie Penguins stood on the shore, and, amongst them, we spotted our first Emperor Penguin, a lone individual perhaps looking for company. Above the frothing waves flew Snow Petrels, Antarctic Petrels, Giant Petrels and South Polar Skuas. Exploring Robertson Bay, we were surrounded by snow-capped mountains with huge glaciers flowing into the sea. It was a wild and spectacular scene, a wonderful introduction to the wilderness of mainland Antarctica.

Images © S. Bradley, Heritage Expeditions