We woke up to a clear day with remarkable blue skies on the Drake Passage. The gentle conditions combined with the capabilities of National Geographic Resolution made for a smooth sailing across this famous body of water. Crossing the Drake has become a rite of passage that sets the tone of our adventure exploring the Antarctic Peninsula. In the morning, we met the expedition team and learned about the birds that we hope to see on our voyage. After lunch, the photography team presented two interesting talks with tips and useful information that helped us prepare for capturing the best moments of our upcoming experience. At the end of our day, expedition leader Dan gave us an overview of our first day of operations in the South Shetland Islands, followed by Captain Heidi, who warmly welcomed us all to the ship and introduced us to the crew. We are all looking forward to our first sightings of the White Continent and are more than ready for what promises to be an unforgettable experience.
2/28/2025
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National Geographic Resolution
Northbound Drake Passage, Cape Horn, and the Beagle Channel
This morning, we had a later start than usual after a late night enjoying the crew show. Our galley team gifted us with a fulfilling brunch. We then had a brilliant forum about climate change with the participation of our panel of experts onboard. Afterward, our expedition leader called us to the bow to see Cape Horn, which was only a few miles ahead. The good weather allowed us to have a smooth and fast crossing, allowing extra time to swing by Cape Horn, the most southern tip of the Americas. Over the PA system, Steven provided a very interesting description of the historical importance of this area, then Pablo read a beautiful poem, a memorial to the seaman lost at sea. We could see the monument in the distance, two metal sheets that depict an albatross in flight. During the afternoon, we enjoyed Madalena’s presentation about Women in Antarctica. This was an incredible voyage through the struggles and delays of allowing women to participate in science and logistics in Antarctica. We entered the Beagle Channel around 17:00 and we encountered black-browed albatrosses, cormorants, dolphins, and whales. On our final approach to the beautiful city of Ushuaia, we passed by Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse and some of the seals that live in the Bridges Islands Archipelago.
