Feb 24, 2008 - Day 14 - Elephant Island

We got up early this morning in hopes of being blessed with good light and icebergs on our approach to Elephant Island. ... Off the coast of the Antarctic Peninsula, Elephant Island is part of the Shetland Island group. ... Shackleton left his second in command, Frank Wild, in charge of 21 other men and sailed away from Elephant Island with five volunteers in the open lifeboat James Caird on Easter Monday, April 24, 1916. ... As we approached Elephant Island, the icy wind nipped at us and we could imagine what it must have been like for Shackleton and his crew. ...

Jan 15, 2008 - Antarctica day 1

What an incredible day. We made our way past Elephant Island, a gorgeous, huge, blue iceberg with a small group of penguins oiling themselves for their next plunge into the frigid waters and stunning vistas. ... Having awakened so early I found myself falling asleep in my seat so I just went back to my cabin for a nap.What an incredible day. We made our way past Elephant Island, a gorgeous, huge, blue iceberg with a small group of penguins oiling themselves for their next plunge into the frigid waters and stunning vistas. ... Having awakened so early I found myself falling asleep in my seat so I just went back to my cabin for a nap....

Dec 9, 2007 - Antarctica: Crossing the Drake to see the Elephant

Day 2 and 3 – Rocking and a rolling with Drake The day started of a little earlier than planned as I find myself grabbing for anything solid to stop myself from being flung feet first through the porthole courtesy of my Drake Passage 5am wake up call. Before dinner everyone was on the bridge or braving the biting wind on the bow as our first view of the White Continent came courtesy of Elephant Island everyone is still on deck into the wee hours of the morning as the sea starts to fill with bigger and bigger icebergs and more islands of the Antarctic Peninsula come into view. ... The night when we arrived at the peninsula we had to take evasive action to dodge an iceberg that measured 50 by 10…that’s miles!! Arriving at the peninsula and the ocean is now full of sea ice which the Multanovskiy being an ice class vessel just rams to the annoyance of the few penguins that had just been lounging on that particular piece of real-estate.Day 2 and 3 – Rocking and a rolling with Drake The day started of a little earlier than planned as I find myself grabbing for anything solid to stop myself from being flung feet first through the porthole courtesy of my Drake Passage 5am wake up call. Before dinner everyone was on the bridge or braving the biting wind on the bow as our first view of the White Continent came courtesy of Elephant Island everyone is still on deck into the wee hours of the morning as the sea starts to fill with bigger and bigger icebergs and more islands of the Antarctic Peninsula come into view. ... The night when we arrived at the peninsula we had to take evasive action to dodge an iceberg that measured 50 by 10…that’s miles!! Arriving at the peninsula and the ocean is now full of sea ice which the Multanovskiy being an ice class vessel just rams to the annoyance of the few penguins that had just been lounging on that particular piece of real-estate....

Jan 31, 2007 - Below 60 degrees South

We arrived off Elephant Island and spent the morning in that area. ... ********************************** From the Log of the Cruise: "At Sea/Elephant Island Wednesday 31st January 2007 Throughout the night we continued on our southerly track of 170°, spotting our first iceberg - a large tabular berg at 0410. ... We made landfall off of Clarence Island in the South Shetland Islands at 0740 and proceeded to cruise along the north coast of Elephant Island, before altering course to starboard off of Cape Valentine and passing down the channel between Elephant Island and Clarance Island. ... Once clear of the south east tip we cruised along the south coast of Elephant Island at around 5 kts, passing the Endurance Glacier and several icebergs. ...

Nov 16, 2006 - Antarctica Day 3: Arriving In Antarctica; Elephant Island

We headed directly to Elephant Island, an historically significant island. ... Shackleton led his crew in three small boats 100 miles to Elephant Island. ... From Elephant Island, Shackleton took one of his boats and five companions. ... It would take another four months for Shackleton to rescue his crew left on Elephant Island. ... As we anchored, Aaron briefed us on our first zodiac ride around Elephant Island. ...