![]() ![]() Particularly evident were the abandoned stations at Stromness and Grytviken that we visited. There were 7 whaling stations on the island with the remains of some of these stations still quite visible today. South Georgia became a base for whaling beginning in the 20th century, until whaling ended in the 1960s. The ashes of another noted Antarctic explorer, Frank Wild, who had been Shackleton's second-in-command on the Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition, were interred next to Shackleton in 2011 We visited his grave site and apparently tradition is to have a dram of whiskey with 'The Boss'. In January 1922, during a later expedition, Shackleton died on board ship while moored in King Edward Cove, South Georgia. The remaining 22 members of the expedition, who had stayed on Elephant Island, were subsequently rescued. While three stayed at the coast, Shackleton and the two others, Tom Crean and Frank Worsley, went on to cover 35 km over the spine of the mountainous island to reach help at Stromness whaling station. Shackleton and five companions set out in a small boat to summon help, and on 10 May, after an epic voyage, they landed at King Haakon Bay on South Georgia's south coast. In April 1916, Ernest Shackleton's Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition became stranded on Elephant Island, some 1,300 km southwest of South Georgia. South Georgia is of course etched in the history of polar exploration with Ernest Shackleton's exploits. Like the Falkland Islands its sovereignty is still disputed by Argentina. South Georgia is another British territory that was occupied briefly by the Argentinians during the Falklands war in 1982. Passengers who do not wish to engage in these activities can enjoy Zodiac excursions and easy-to-moderate shoreline walks that focus on wildlife.It took a couple of days sailing the open ocean to get to South Georgia, but if you want to see penguins and seals this is the place. Hikers (H) can embark on vigorous walks in the backcountry, photographers (P) can capture the dramatic surroundings in pictures, and kayakers (K) can explore waterways through which the ship cannot always sail. During our designated Basecamp cruises, the ship navigates to carefully chosen areas around North Spitsbergen, staying in fewer locations than during our regular trips so that it can serve as a comfortable hub for multiple outdoor activities. If time and conditions permit, the expedition team will also look for wildlife opportunities whenever possible.īy definition, a basecamp is a temporary camp from which expeditions or other outdoor activities can be carried out. Our Basecamp voyages focus on land and near-shore activities with minimal disturbance to local wildlife. Join us in experiencing the summer solstice during this adventurous Arctic voyage, when the midnight sun reaches its highest position above the ruggedly scenic wilderness of Svalbard (Spitsbergen). It will not be until late August that the sun goes down, and then only for a few minutes. ![]() It then sets slightly to the north of west, meaning it is visible in the sky for a longer period of time. On the day of the solstice, the sun does not rise precisely in the east but slightly to the north of east. The term “solstice” (Latin: solstitium) means “sun-stopping.” This is the point on the horizon at which the sun appears to rise and set before stopping and reversing direction afterward. This coming solstice occurs on Monday, 21 June, 2021 at 05:32 in Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen. The midnight sun is a natural phenomenon that occurs during the summer months, when the sun is visible for 24 hours in fair weather. And if we cannot clean a certain area because of roaming bears or other concerns, we will find an alternate area. Then in the afternoon, the groups switch roles. About 50 passengers will clean in the morning while the other 50 have their excursion in another area. All participants will be assisted by our guides and provided with collection bags. Supported by AECO and the governor of Spitsbergen, we enjoy cleaning the beaches of Svalbard with our passengers. This litter is hazardous to the animals, which get entangled in fish nets and sometimes ingest micro-plastics that can lead to starvation and suffocation. Garbage from the ocean, such as fishing gear and plastic litter, piles up on these shores. We welcome you to participate in our ongoing effort to remove plastic waste and other rubbish from the shores of Spitsbergen. Interested in doing something good for the enviroment? This expedition allows you to hike, snowshoe, kayak, and learn to take perfect pictures of the polar flora and fauna.Ĭleaning the shores of Spitsbergen: 24 June 2021 Departure The North Spitsbergen Basecamp cruise offers you a myriad of ways to explore and enjoy this Arctic Region.
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