Detaille Island

Iceberg in the morning light approaching Detaille Island
Iceberg in the morning light on our approach to Detaille Island

This week we are back in Antarctica after our brief detour to the Canterbury High Country of New Zealand’s South Island. Detaille Island was the furthest south that we landed in Antarctica having crossed the Antarctic Circle during the early hours of the morning. We had a lovely sunny morning travelling through quite dense ice floes to the island. It looked debatable as to whether we would be able to land but the Zodiacs explored a way through after we had anchored. We began with a Zodaic cruise, getting great views of resting Crabeater Seals and some Adelie Penguins as well as a relatively close encounter with a beautiful Snow Petrel, before bumping and grinding our way through the brash ice to land.

Crabeater Sals on a floe photographed from the bow of the ship
Crabeater Seals on a floe photographed from the bow of the ship
Crabeater Seal photographed from the Zodiac
Crabeater Seal photographed from the Zodiac
Snow Petrel. A whole blog post will be devoted to these lovely birds
Snow Petrel. A whole blog post will be devoted to these lovely birds!
Zodiac bumping through the brash ice to land. Naturalist, Sue Perin at the helm.
Zodiac bumping through the brash ice to land. Naturalist, Sue Perin at the helm.
Detaille Island. Building bottom right is the main Base W building
Detaille Island. Building bottom right is the main Base W building

Detaille Island was home to British Base W which was one of the bases used during the International Geophysical Year which was an multinational scientific project that ran from 1 July 1957 to 31 December 1958 and marked the end of a period in the Cold War when scientific dialog between East and West had been significantly disrupted. Base W was abandoned at short notice after the supply ship had been unable to reach it for two years. The men left with their dog sleds to cover the 50km to the ship, taking only the essentials. This has left the buildings with the feeling of a recently abandoned time capsule and it is fascinating to visit and get a feeling for the circumstances in which they lived.

Hand drawn maps and Astronomical Observation Book with ashtray and lamp
Hand drawn maps and Astronomical Observation Book with ashtray and lamp
Popular magazines from the 1950's
Popular magazines from the 1950’s
Radio room
Radio room
Kitchen shelves with food and condiments
Kitchen shelves with food and condiments
Long johns and socks abandoned drying by the fire
Long johns and socks abandoned drying by the fire

For more pictures from this landing see Edin’s post “Inside Base W”

This day continued to unfold into one of the most incredible days I have ever experienced and will be the subject of the next few Antarctica posts.

Outdoor photos all with Nikon D810 and Nikon 80-400AFS lens. Photos inside Base W with Fuji X100s.

 

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