About 8 months ago, an opportunity arose to join a private trip down to the Antarctic Peninsula. I was at the start of my jaunt in Europe at the time, so I was a little distracted, but in the end there was no way I could turn down the opportunity. I've wanted to go to Antarctica for as long as I can remember, and this time in my life couldn't suit better.
I'll be flying to Ushuaia initially, via Buenos Aires, where I'll have a few days in the 'Southern most city' to get a few things ready for the trip, do a bit of walking, and celebrate the new year somehow. On the 5th of January, we leave Ushuaia for the ~3 day journey across the Drake Passage, on the yacht Australis. There'll be 9 of us clients (only 2 of whom I've met thus far) and 3 crew on the 75 foot boat.
The main 'objective' of the trip is climbing. The Antarctic Peninsula is dotted with mountainous islands, many of which are home to unclimbed peaks. We plan on heading as far south as we can to get away from the busier areas such as Paradise Harbour, and also give ourselves more chance of climbing new routes. We'll be making a combination of one day outings from the boat, going ashore early morning, and we'll also camp 'on the land' (ie snow) a few nights, depending on the length of route we intend to climb.
We'll be spending a total of a month aboard Australis, before returning to Ushuaia in early February. It's less than 2 weeks now until we set off from Ushuaia, and I can't wait. The prospect of all the climbing we plan on doing down there is exciting enough in itself, but I'm also looking forward to being at sea, looking for our first 'berg.
After returning to Ushuaia, I'll be heading to Puerto Natales to meet Will, my oldest mate. We've been leading somewhat different lives for quite some time now, but have always said we should travel together - so now its happening. We'll be kicking our trip off with a hike through the Torres del Paine in Patagonia. From there, we have 6 weeks to make our way north-ward. We plan to be as adventurous as we can in these days of lonely planet guides and the all knowlegeable internet, and thus plan on not planning too much. Our general idea is to head north through Chile/Argentina, into Bolivia over some salt plains, then down into Peru - hopefully with a visit to Machu Picchu - before I return home, and Will continues on his way.
This is the yacht we'll be on: www.ocean-expeditions.com
I'll be flying to Ushuaia initially, via Buenos Aires, where I'll have a few days in the 'Southern most city' to get a few things ready for the trip, do a bit of walking, and celebrate the new year somehow. On the 5th of January, we leave Ushuaia for the ~3 day journey across the Drake Passage, on the yacht Australis. There'll be 9 of us clients (only 2 of whom I've met thus far) and 3 crew on the 75 foot boat.
The main 'objective' of the trip is climbing. The Antarctic Peninsula is dotted with mountainous islands, many of which are home to unclimbed peaks. We plan on heading as far south as we can to get away from the busier areas such as Paradise Harbour, and also give ourselves more chance of climbing new routes. We'll be making a combination of one day outings from the boat, going ashore early morning, and we'll also camp 'on the land' (ie snow) a few nights, depending on the length of route we intend to climb.
We'll be spending a total of a month aboard Australis, before returning to Ushuaia in early February. It's less than 2 weeks now until we set off from Ushuaia, and I can't wait. The prospect of all the climbing we plan on doing down there is exciting enough in itself, but I'm also looking forward to being at sea, looking for our first 'berg.
After returning to Ushuaia, I'll be heading to Puerto Natales to meet Will, my oldest mate. We've been leading somewhat different lives for quite some time now, but have always said we should travel together - so now its happening. We'll be kicking our trip off with a hike through the Torres del Paine in Patagonia. From there, we have 6 weeks to make our way north-ward. We plan to be as adventurous as we can in these days of lonely planet guides and the all knowlegeable internet, and thus plan on not planning too much. Our general idea is to head north through Chile/Argentina, into Bolivia over some salt plains, then down into Peru - hopefully with a visit to Machu Picchu - before I return home, and Will continues on his way.
This is the yacht we'll be on: www.ocean-expeditions.com
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