Antarctica

This'nThat · 02-14-2013, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by upthesaukee

I'm thinking about Bear Islander's trip, and saying to myself why on God's green earth would he go there in the winter....and then Dawn over Marblehead, it is winter here, but in the Southern Hemisphere, it is of course summer... a relative term at the South Pole.

On Thursday, 14 Feb, the current temp at VOSTOK, Antarctica is -64 degrees F (http://classic.wunderground.com/cgi-...:00000.1.89606). And it's snowing. Friday's forecast high is 44 degrees below zero.

So yeah, summer is the ideal time to visit Antarctica.

tis · 02-15-2013, 07:32 AM

My question is why would he want to go there ANY time of year! I would die if I had to go there!

riverat · 02-15-2013, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by This'nThat

On Thursday, 14 Feb, the current temp at VOSTOK, Antarctica is -64 degrees F (http://classic.wunderground.com/cgi-...:00000.1.89606). And it's snowing. Friday's forecast high is 44 degrees below zero.

So yeah, summer is the ideal time to visit Antarctica.

Why is'nt all the water frozen at that temp.?

This'nThat · 02-15-2013, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by riverat

Why is'nt all the water frozen at that temp.?

Many reasons. Antarctica is a continent, and like any continent, geography, wind patterns, actual location, and bodies of water all contribute to the local climates. Vostok, for example, in in the interior, and is 11,444 ft above sea level. Butler Island, Antarctica, (http://classic.wunderground.com/glob...ons/89266.html) is 6 degrees further North, and is expecting a high temperature of +25 degrees F, and 1/2 foot of snow overnight.

NoBozo · 02-20-2013, 05:43 PM

Follow Bear Islanders Antarctic adventures here.

NB

http://icetent.net/

Bear Islander · 03-01-2013, 11:52 AM

I'm home again safe and sound. Thanks for all the interest.

I did have a couple of interesting experiences. I punched one leg through into a crevasse while climbing Mt. Hovgaard, no big deal really. However I was driving a small zodiac while visiting an iceberg graveyard when a leopard seal, probably about 1,000 pounds, chased us for a couple of miles. Except for killer whales leopard seals are at the top of the food chain down south. We winch the zodiac out of the water when not in use because they love to punch holes in rubber boats. Perhaps you have seen the picture of one trying to bite through our shore lines.

Good thing we don't have them on Winni.

Island Girl · 03-01-2013, 12:03 PM

Does she stay all year long or leave in the fall for warmer climes?

IG

Bear Islander · 03-01-2013, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Island Girl

Does she stay all year long or leave in the fall for warmer climes?

IG

Xplore usually makes two or three trips to Antarctica each year.

Xplore will go north into the Pacific to French Polynesia and spend the summer around Pitcairn Island. Pitcairn was made famous by the mutiny on the HMS Bounty.

pam.in.ny · 03-02-2013, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bear Islander

I'm home again safe and sound. Thanks for all the interest.

Glad you are home safe and sound, BI and thank you for allowing us to enjoy your fantastic adventure along with you. I loved reading the updates and the photos were terrific! Beside space and Winni, where are you going next?

bclaker · 03-02-2013, 09:45 AM

Thanks Bear Islander for the daily e-mail on your trip to Antarctica. We looked forward to then daily update. We'll be looking forward to reports on your trip into space.

riverat · 03-02-2013, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bclaker

Thanks Bear Islander for the daily e-mail on your trip to Antarctica. We looked forward to then daily update. We'll be looking forward to reports on your trip into space.

Same here, it was interesting to read about your adventures. Especially the Leopard seal and when the icebergs were blocking you in.

Bear Islander · 03-04-2013, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pam.in.ny

Glad you are home safe and sound, BI and thank you for allowing us to enjoy your fantastic adventure along with you. I loved reading the updates and the photos were terrific! Beside space and Winni, where are you going next?

I will probably ride the centrifuge to six gravities and go on a Zero-G flight in the coming months. And possibly ski to the north pole in a year.

02-20-2013, 05:43 PM	#5
NoBozo Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Portsmouth. RI Posts: 2,231 Thanks: 400 Thanked 460 Times in 308 Posts	Bite me Follow Bear Islanders Antarctic adventures here. NB http://icetent.net/

03-01-2013, 12:03 PM	#7
Island Girl Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Central MA Posts: 2,352 Thanks: 18 Thanked 535 Times in 179 Posts	How Many voyages a year does Xplore take in Antartica? Does she stay all year long or leave in the fall for warmer climes? IG __________________ Island Girl ....... Make Lemonade

02-15-2013, 07:32 AM	#2
tis Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 6,726 Thanks: 752 Thanked 1,457 Times in 1,014 Posts	My question is why would he want to go there ANY time of year! I would die if I had to go there!

03-01-2013, 11:52 AM	#6
Bear Islander Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Bear Island Posts: 1,764 Thanks: 32 Thanked 441 Times in 207 Posts	I'm home again safe and sound. Thanks for all the interest. I did have a couple of interesting experiences. I punched one leg through into a crevasse while climbing Mt. Hovgaard, no big deal really. However I was driving a small zodiac while visiting an iceberg graveyard when a leopard seal, probably about 1,000 pounds, chased us for a couple of miles. Except for killer whales leopard seals are at the top of the food chain down south. We winch the zodiac out of the water when not in use because they love to punch holes in rubber boats. Perhaps you have seen the picture of one trying to bite through our shore lines. Good thing we don't have them on Winni.

The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to Bear Islander For This Useful Post:
Just Sold (03-01-2013), pam.in.ny (03-02-2013), Pineedles (03-01-2013)

03-02-2013, 09:45 AM	#10
bclaker Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Laconia Posts: 479 Thanks: 545 Thanked 147 Times in 66 Posts	Thanks Bear Islander for the daily e-mail on your trip to Antarctica. We looked forward to then daily update. We'll be looking forward to reports on your trip into space.