Beach Party

This intrepid blogger is near a beach ... but one with in Antartica with glaciers all around. No swimsuits here!

We have made it to Herbert Bay, where we plan on drilling our second core. When I stand on deck and close my eyes I feel like I am on the shores of Lake Superior. A brisk breeze blows through my hair, and the sound of waves lap along the side of the boat. My face is warmed by the sun, which for the first time in four days, has shone through the clouds.

When I open my eyes, I see a most desolate landscape. The bay we are in is surrounded on three sides by cliffs ascending approximately 1000 feet, almost vertically, from the sea. There are the occasional small black beaches and I can see nine glaciers which terminate at the water's edge. The cliffs are topped by massive continental glaciers that cover about 99% of the island.

This is the first time since we left Maxwell Bay the sea has been calm. Today in the protection of the bay, only one foot swells greet us,and the wind blows at 20 knots. Through the deep blue shimmering water the occasional whitecap breaks the surface. Above the mountains, the sky is pale blue. A few cumulus clouds float overhead, while the ever lingering cirrus clouds hang in the eastern sky.

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Read more from this blogger: Sunday April 10