Homeward Bound (HB#3) preparing for Antarctica: New Year’s Eve

I’ve arrived in Ushuaia, the most southern tip of Argentina.

From Jan 28-30, 2018 HB be doing the capstone training event for our 12-month leadership development program.  Personally, this has been a standout.  Over the years I have done many, many, many leadership training courses, however I can attest  that the Human Synergistic’s approach is second to none. Their mantra “changing the world, one organisation at a time” is an apt descriptor of their skilful work and insightful approach.

Then the expeditionary component 

We start our journey leaving on our boat the ‘MV Ushuaia’ New Year’s Eve (31 Dec) and heading down through the Beagle Channel (approx. 4-6 hours) and into the Drake Passage. This is a beautiful channel with Argentina on one side, and Chile on the other.

According to all reports, the Drake Passage is magnificent, alive, ever-changing and dynamic. From here, we transition from the tepid air of South America into the Antarctic air. Beware, this is very rapid and we are in the hands of Mother Nature. As a result, swells will change as the weather moves across the passage.  By the end of our first day at sea, we have navigated the biological boundary of Antarctic, which is called the Antarctic convergence (a line which defines Antarctica in the ocean, the demarcation between the warmer northern oceans and the colder southern water).

Whilst we pass through that convergence and the sea water temperature drops several degrees. What we’ll see initially in the Drake Passage are the birds of the south – petrels and albatross – they follow the boat which we are told, is phenomenal.

Overnight we pass Cape Horn (Cabo de Hornos), aiming off for the very northern tip of the Peninsula.

The temperature will begin to get colder and the water will be cool enough to support icebergs. We may start to see these anytime along with cetaceans – (whales and dolphins) so it will start to “feel’ like Antarctica from here on in.

It’s early summer and the Antarctic has transitioned from the depth of winter and spring. Everything will be coming to life. Exposed rocks will have an abundance of creatures, wanting to breed! It’s that time of year – abundant nesting birds and breeding seals are taking up every available inch.

(Adapted from Mary-Ellen’s post)

pics below of Ushuaia