Friday, January 8, 2010: Drake Passage (Day 2)

The last three days have probably been the most sentimental of the entire expedition. After viewing the humpback whales, visiting whalers bay, and learning about the accomplishments of the SOI alumni, I have truly realized the magnitude of this trip. Unlike our previous encounter with the fin whales, the one with the humpbacks were much more intense because they were a lot closer to the ship, fluked more, breached three times, and quite often it was possible to view them underwater. Even though the whales were the main attraction, I was glad to view the SOI team moving from port to starboard side, following the whales as they came as close as 3 to 5 meters from the bow of the ship, where I was fortunately located watching the action first hand. I was lucky enough to view the actual size of the whales, and when this occurred I realized that I had actually connected with Antarctica and that somehow I had talked to the continent. This emotion stayed with me as I visited whalers bay and experienced the human side of Antarctica through the leftover bones of whales, singing in the echoing tanks, and walking on one of the few places in Antarctica where people have actually lived.

The day seemed to be over when we returned to the ship, but the bright sunset around bedtime reminded all of us that even the simplest features of nature can be enjoyed. I had only heard about the colorful skies of Antarctica, but my hopes of seeing them were little. Thus, I was stunned to see oranges, purples, and pinks right outside the ship. Unfortunately, I was asked to stop staring up at the clouds and hit the sack, I officially said goobbye to Antarctica and went to sleep. This time I actually thought the journey was over, but when Geoff showed us just a sample of the work that the SOI alumni have done, I was motivated to follow their path and hopefully become more of a world changer and a contributor as the other students have been, and I am confident that the memories from this expedition will be be my muse.

- Simit Christian, Participant

Here we are, our last full day on this incredible polar vessel. I am going to be very sad when we finally have to say goodbye to our floating home that I have grown so very fond of. I really wish I could spend just a few more moments in Antarctica and on this expedition. The good news is, even though we are leaving our floating home, we will still be together for a few exciting days in Ushuaia. I am very excited to hike and see the town again, but I am already missing Antarctica.

Today has been a busy day of learning about the Antarctic Treaty and working on our life maps with Jim. Later on today we are going to have many other wrap up activities.I knew this expedition would be a amazing, but never did I expect it to be this incredible. We saw things that a mere fraction of the world get to see and we only got a taste of this vast and beautiful continent. It left us all full of wonder and want to come back. I will definately be back. Students on Ice is the greatest organization of our time; they truly promote great out-of-classroom learning where we are able to grasp knowledge at a much higher level. When I get home I plan to once again host many presentations and speeches to tell the stories of this incredible expedition. I also plan to talk to the elementary and middle school students about the poles and why they are important to the rest of the world.

Antarctica truly is the last wild place on the planet, the last place of complete inhospitable land that draws only the adventure and nature-loving types. A place of spectacular beauty and wonder, a place that I am surely going to miss!

- Jenna Gall, Participant


This journey is almost over but the spirit remains the same. The last days were amazing, there were so many new experiences that are hard to explain. I'll miss this group of amazing people but I know that we will stay in contact because we want to make a difference and together we are stronger.

I have to thank to my parents and friends, Ana Salome, Jose Xavier and Anabela Quaresma for their support for this wonderful expedition. I also want to thank my old School "Escola Basica 2,3/S das Lajes do Pico", the Azorean Governament, Vigolajes and Antonio Machado who spent time and money to make this possible. Muito Obrigado a todos!!!

- Pedro Meneses, Participant

We woke up this morning to calm seas!  It is such a relief getting out of bed and being able to brush my teeth without having to hold on to a railing for dear life!  I can't believe this is our last day on the Drake.  Every day in Antarctica seemed so long, and so full of activities, but looking back it was only a few short days we were able to get in zodiacs and explore the land. I am so grateful though at how well the weather treated us.

The one thing that I am sad about is that I never got to see the stars in Antarctica. Although the sun goes down around midnight, the sky never gets dark, it is always like dusk here. Also, there are almost always clouds in the sky. The sunsets made up for not seeing the stars though. Watching the huge luminous red sun slowly hide behind the snow coated mountains is a sight I will never forget. Although pictures help keep the memories alive, they don't even come close to describing Antarctica's beauty. I just hope I can keep those images locked away in my memory.   

Another thing I am grateful for is my ability to not become sea sick. Although we never experienced 40 ft. waves, the ship has done its fair share of rolling, and I have seen many green faces. I discovered the best cure is going out on the bow for some fresh air, and while on the bow, there is plenty to do with choppy seas.  A new activity for me was swell jumping!  It is where everyone stands on the deck and waits for a good wave, then as the bow moves down, we all jump up, getting some pretty crazy air as the ground literally moves below our feet. 

Today, our day will most likely be filled with workshops and lectures, and now that we have left Antarctica, I think I am finally ready to head home. 

- Sarah Hovey, Participant

On the way to Ushuaia today is our last day at sea and my Antarctic adventure is coming to an end. Yesterday we said good by to Antarctica as we sailed out of the area. The rest of the day was a lot of fun because the Drake Passage finally started to show its true self and made the ship rock back and forth. The rocking made some people sick but I couldn't get enough of it. When I get back home I can now say I survived the Drake Passage. We were all called down stairs to see a movie about a man named Fritz Koerner. Fritz past away last year and was an importent part of SO. It was a great movie. If Fritz was still alive I would have loved to meet him.

- Victor G. Davila, Participant

Yesterday was a great foretaste of what the Drake Passage has to offer. We were met with some rocky seas and 30 m/ph winds. While many suffered from the rolling seas of their stomach, a few of us stood brave and tall. Myself being one of them, we rode the waves like a roller coaster and embraced the ride we were on.

The days of late on the ship have been packed with information that got pushed to the side to make way for pods of whales and beautiful scenery. Much is still yet to be learned about climate change, the politics of Antarctica, and how we can make a difference but we continue to be on the path of understanding. As I take this path of comprehension, processing what I have seen and learned is a process that takes much patience. So much is yet to be revealed of what I experienced and learned that it is almost frustrating that I can not make sense of it right away. My brain has been frantically attempting to grasp every bit of information it can but unfortunately some facts do not always stick. Hopefully, with my pictures, journal entries, and discussions with people around me everyday I will relive my wonderful moments with the South.

Now South America greets us once again, when I look outside I see greens and browns that have been absent in the days past. There has been the buzz of smelling vegetation again outside and I realize this is a true statement. As the expeditions end creeps closer and closer I feel the pain of all the wonderful memories made. I intend to not simply mourn my departure from my new found memories, but rejoice in all I have come to love. Wonderful celebrations of the successful expedition await us in Ushuaia. Much fun is yet to still be had and I hope to soak it in just the same.

- Alex Gustafson, Participant

That's it! We have crossed the Drake again. That means that the expedition is soon coming to an end. Antarctica is great and it was sad to leave it. It's a very strong place and I feel lucky that I could get there with such and incredible group of people. One day I will be back there.

Today was a pretty calm day. The Drake was really calm and we had some time to pack and journal. We also had a presentation from Dr. Fred Roots about the "Antarctic Treaty". Fred helped to write the treaty so he could tell us a lot about it. The politics in Antarctica are very interesting and usually very peaceful as well. I wish that in my country the situation would have been so peaceful.

Antarctica is a wonderful place. It's definitely the most incredible place on earth.

- Iddo Epstein, Participant

Yesterday we were on the Drake Passage and I was really surprised that I was even up for most of the day. Unlike most people, I seemed to be overcome with some intense sea-sickness. I guess most people are getting used to the sea and I'm just really behind.

Yesterday was pretty much all workshops and post-expedition meetings and today seems to be the same too. The only difference is that the boat is pretty steady, while yesterday, you could look out the window and one minute you would see the sky and the next you would be looking down on the waves. Objects were flying all over the place and even the task of walking seemed so complicated.

We left Antarctic two days ago and it almost seems surreal now. I feel like we have been here forever; like it was three months ago that I saw Point Wild for the first time. I still can't process that we've already left and the time feels like so long ago. Just two days ago we were at Deception Point wandering through the old whaling station remnants and today we're already going to drop anchor in the Beagle. When I look over the pictures of the last week, it all seems like a dream; I really want to come back one day, but that experience should last me for awhile. 

- Jess Dancer, Participant

Our expedition is almost finished and I'll return home with much more experience and knowledge, new friends and with strength to continue this project because now I have the real vision above the reality about the importance of our work that makes it possible to have this adventure.

I'll never forget this expedition, the staff, all students and all the people that helped us. I bring with me a lot of ideas about this project because we can save the poles, together with the work of all around the world. I really liked everything on this expedition, even the wake up at 5.30 a.m., hiking with my rubber boots and sliding down in the middle of the hike and needing to re-start the hike up.  The rest of things were really, really nice and I can't describe them...

At this moment, I want to go home but I want to stay here... so I hope to return one day and work with this project in the future. Obrigada por tudo!!

- Oliveira Viviana, Participant

In the shrinking sunset of the journey I find it difficult to return to my normal journal habits. Rather than filtering my thoughts into some kind of organized theme or general realization I will try to imprint my experience in a stream of thought-organic mental river. I immediately think of the Lemaire Strait. The dynamic mountains reach into the sky coming right out of the water. The sheer cliffs of Mount Shackleton draw daydreams of looking down upon the channel from the summit after a long day of climbing. This feeling returned again when crossing the shallow waterway on the way to Koerner Pillow Island. The fact that they were uncharted waters and the collective anticipation of rediscovering the research equipment untouched since the previous year was potent in everyone's mind. The sun shone in a fleeting sort of way layering all snow with a golden cover. Everyone trudged up in single file approaching the lone figure at the top of the slope. The pillow was so round and smooth it seemed like something from another world.

- Trevor Wallace, Participant

11:30 a.m. Update

Hello again! We have just updated our Jan 7 and Jan 6 Expedition Update pages with many new photos and journals!

All is well on board. The seas were a tad rough as they left the Bransfield Strait last night, but since then it has been remarkably calm, and the students are busy with many activities.

For further details about today, please see below!

8:15 a.m. Update:

Good morning everyone!

It is Day 2 of our Expedition's crossing of the Drake Passage home.

All is well on board and we have just received two days worth of journals and photos in one big electronic heap. The team had difficulty establishing a suitable satellite signal yesterday to transmit everything home to us ... but they are here now and the site will be updated shortly.

The final day on board the ship is always a busy one. There are multiple wrap-up sessions - including a special workshop this morning by Geoff Green on Polar Ambassadorship and Youth Action. The team is also finishing up all the artwork that they've been working on with Linda Mackey, songs that they've written with Remy Rodden, and any writing that they've been doing with Jim Raffan. Whatever the student's interest - whether it's glaciology, marine biology, music, history, art, writing, climate change, youth action - there has been a mentor on board this ship with whom they can work.

Despite the numerous formal presentations and workshops organized by our amazing Education Team. The one-on-one conversations out on deck or in the lounge over a cup of cocoa are often more meaningful and powerful. Mentorship is a big part of the SOI experience.

And of course, students will be outside on deck, too, savouring all the sights, the sounds and the smells of the wide open ocean. By now penguins and whales may be "old-hat" - but the south Atlantic Ocean is one of the most exciting places on earth - and we will see all of our students, at one time or another, either in small groups or singly, out on deck watching the waves and the world go by. It is mesmerizing.

Early tonight, the team will leave the Drake Passage behind and enter the calm waters of the Beagle Channel - and their final push back to Ushuaia. They will arive in Ushuaia early tomorrow morning.

And there be much to celebrate this evening!

There will be a special dinner, hosted by the Captain, and an evening of programming which will include some practical briefings about the upcoming days of travel, but also multiple presentations by our students, too. They have been actively working in their Youth Action pod groups - devising ways to continue on with their "Save the Poles, Save the Planet" campaign for their post-expedition lives - and they will present their outreach and organizational ideas to one another tonight.

And of course, as usual, there will be much singing, skits, slide shows, laughs, dancing, tears and an enormous quantity of hot cocoa consumed before the night winds down - which we expect will be quite, quite late.

Stay Tuned for Updates!