Antarctica 2022

I traveled to Antarctica in February of 2022 on an Epic Solo Adventure. I joined a group of photographers from around the globe on an expedition to the windiest and most magical place on earth. After travelling to Santiago, Chile and Punta Arenas, Chile and passing multiple Covid tests our group flew to King George Island on a landing strip between two bases, one Argentinian and one Russian. We walked between the two and boarded our ship the Greg Mortimer in Maxwell Bay with Aurora Expeditions.

On the next day our first destination was Deception Island which is an active volcano which last erupted in 1983. Whaler’s Bay is an abandoned whaling harbor. There are remnants of that activity still visible and now wildlife make the area home. On the day we visited there was a wind and sandstorm making photography a real challenge. The crew evacuated us earlier than planned in 67 knot winds. We nearly had to spend the night on shore.

Second destination was Melchior Island on a surprisingly sunny day. We saw Fur, Leopard and Weddle Seals as well as Chinstrap Penguins. As we sailed toward our next destination, we saw a pod of Orca Whales. A windstorm kicked up and we did not make a second stop. The ship rolled 20 degrees in high wind, and it truly made me feel like we were in Antarctica.

Next day we dropped anchor in harbor near Jougla Point where the only post office in Antarctica is located. We saw a colony of Gentoo Penguins. That afternoon we sailed south through Lemaire Channel which is very narrow, and we had to wait for another ship to finish crossing before we could sail through. Once we navigated through the channel, we stopped at Peterman Island. There we saw colonies of Gentoo Penguins and Adelie Penguins. This was the most southern point of our expedition. In the entire trip I only saw 3 other vessels on the water. Boat and human traffic are very highly regulated and landings on shore are as well. This is all to protect the environment.

On Day 4 we awoke in Gerlache Straight. We took a Zodiac tour to Cuverville Island. Later that day we dropped anchor in Neko Harbour which is so picturesque! First time to set foot on the continent of Antarctica. The day was made complete when I took part in the Polar Plunge which was followed by a cookout on the deck of the ship. It was the best day of the entire trip.

Day 5 we visited Portal Point which was full of wildlife. On our Zodiac trip back to the ship we saw multiple humpback whales through the falling snow. We toured a cove with views of icebergs that were amazing.

Day 6 was our last day to take a Zodiac and make a landing. We awoke in Paradise Harbour on a foggy but sunny morning which revealed some of the most beautiful landscape images I have ever seen.

Later that evening we set sail for the legendary Drake Passage. We crossed in two days on what we were told was a medium rough crossing. Thankfully I have no issues with seasickness. We sailed around Cape Horn which is the southernmost point of the American continents. We sailed in the Beagle Channel near Ushuaia, Argentina and then into the Chilean Fjords as we made our way to our disembarkation port at Punta Arenas.

It was an amazing trip and only pictures tell the story to some degree. If you ever have the chance to visit Antarctica, you will enjoy a truly unique and beautiful adventure. I hope you enjoy the images from my trip that I share here.