AC Antarctica 2013
01. Beagle Channel - Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse
Built in 1920, this lighthouse was passed as we sailed eastwards along the Beagle Channel.
02. Leaving Cape Horn
Once we rounded Cape Horn we entered the Beagle Channel, which separates South America from Antarctica.
03. Night-time in the Drake Passage
We alternated our watches, sailing around the clock... 3 hours on watch, then 6 hours off watch.
04. Crossing the Drake Passage
It took four days to cross the Drake Passage. Although we initially had some swell and fair winds, these gradually weakened as we approached Antarctica.
05. Arrival in the Argentine Islands
We headed straight for the Argentine Islands, which were surrounded by a maze of beautiful icebergs.
06. Reconnaissance in Collins Bay
We wanted to reach the mountains of the Kiev Peninsula, so we spent a day reconnoitring the coastline for a point of access.
07. Reconnaissance of Collins Bay
As we came closer to the ice-cliffs we inspected the possible landing through binoculars from the top of the mast.
08. The Clapp Point Landing Site
After a lot of careful inspection we decided that this small landing at Clapp Point would prove to be a reasonably safe point of access to the Trooz and Belgica Glaciers.
09. The Clapp Point Landing Site
We landed at Clapp Point and made haste up the steep snow-slope that was overlooked by very tottery ice-cliffs.
10. Belgica Glacier
After following the very broken Trooz Glacier for some distance we turned off up the Belgica Glacier, where we hoped to place a camp below Alencar Peak.
11. Alencar Peak
Alencar Peak, as seen from the south, was our first objective. Its northern side was much more amenable.
12. Alencar Peak
To reach the north buttress of Alencar peak we skied up a small side-glacier which gave great views of Mt Peary, and across the Belgica and Trooz Glaciers.
13. Alencar Peak
We then skied up the lower section of the north buttress before depoting our skis and continuing on foot.
14. Alencar Peak.
The upper slopes of Alencar Peak were in a superb location, looking over the very broken and unstable north face. Photo by Jamie Goodhart
15. Alencar Peak.
This shows the scale of the north buttress after we had depoted our skis. Photo by Derek Buckle.
16. Alencar Peak
A couple of icy steps added interest to an otherwise straight-forward snow and ice climb.
17. Alencar Peak
Derek and Bjorn reaching the top of the buttress, where the angle eased and a short snow-sloppe led to the summit.
18. Alencar Peak
The north side of Alencar Peak drops dramatically and chaotically into Beascochea Bay.
19. Peak 1333m
Peak 1333m lies immediately north of Alencar Peak. It has no name, but was a worthwhile second objective.
20. Peak 1333m
Everything was easy and straight-forward until our progress was halted by an enormous crevasse. Nobody fancied crossing the obvious but tenuous, and not quite complete, snow-bridge! Photo by Jamie Goodhart
21. Peak 1333m
To cross the crevasse and so reach the upper snow-slopes we climbed a steep and enjoyable fin of ice, which was capped by a very solid cornice.
22. Peak 1333m
The summit lay beyond several interesting steps and snow mushrooms. Here, Derek Buckle tackles the final step.
23. Peak 1333m
The summit ridge was elegant and airy, and hung sandwiched between layers of cloud. Photo by Hannah Baker
24. Peak 1333m
The whole team on the summit of Alencar Peak. L to R: Hannah, Derek, Phil, Mike, Bjorn, Stefan... and Jamie behind the camera. Photo by Jamie Goodhart
26. Belgica Glacier Camp
We moved our camp higher up the Belgica Glacier during a day of thick cloud to pace ourselves at the base of Valiente Peak.
27. Belgica Dome.
This un-named 2032m peak, that we nick-named "Belgica Dome, lies at the head of the Belgica Glacier. We climbed the north (left) side. Photo by Stefan Jachmich
28. Belgica Dome.
Approaching Belgica Dome from our high Camp. Our line took the snow-slope on the left before crossing a high plateau to reach the summit dome. Photo by Hannah Baker
29. Belgica Dome
As we reached the upper plateau we emerged out of the thickening valley cloud and spent the rest of the day in glorious sunshine above a sea of cloud.
30. Belgica Dome.
Looking south-east across the Antarctic Peninsula from the summit of Belgica Dome. On the right are the three summits of Valiente Peak. Photo by Jamie Goodhart
31. Valiente Peak
The south face of Valiente Peak, as seen from Beascochea Bay, would be a very serious proposition. Our route, although long and committing, was much more straight-forward. We traversed the central and left (east) summits.
32. Valiente Peak
To reach Valiente Peak from Belgica Dome involved descending heavenly powder slopes to a high col.
33. Valiente Peak
The summit ridge of Valiente Peak as we traversed from the central to the east (highest summit). Being 2km west of its map position, we were unaware that this was Valiente Peak until we reached the summit itself.
36. Valiente Peak
The last few metres of deep powder before the col, from where we had to ascend another 1000ft to cross Belgica Dome before we could return to our camp.
38. Peak 1475m
After weaving around the lower crevasses we climbed a steep icy slope and crossed a high bowl to reach a shoulder below the upper headwall.
39. Peak 1475m
The upper headwall was guarded by a steep, icicles bergschrund, which was crossed by several interesting moves.
40. Peak 1475m
A final headwall was climbed to reach the summit, which lay at the end of a long, heavily corniced and very crevassed ridge.
42. Descending the Belgica Glacier
Descending the Belgica Glacier. With a hard surface and skis, this was fast and easy.
43. Descending the Belgica Glacier
Derek and Mike are dwarfed by Lumiere Peak. This elegant peak, which lies between Waddington and Collins Bays, has had several ascents.
44. Cape Perez
After returning to the yacht we sailed into Beascochea Bay, which is guarded on its north side by Cape Perez. This must be one of the largest rock walls on the Antarctic Peninsula... and a worthwhile future objective...
45. Humpback Whale
As we headed into Paradise Harbour we were closely investigated by this Humpback Whale.
46. Humpback Whale.
This curious humpback whale was intrigued by us waving from the yacht. Photo by Antoine Busiaux
47. Humpback Whale.
This is a whale equivalent of doing a headstand! After playing around the yacht for an hour, the Humpback started to clap her hands. Photo by Antoine Busiaux
48. Caleta Olla.
We crossed the Drake Passage five days early to avoid being beaten up by a big storm, and headed into the Cordillera Darwin. This is anchored in the beautiful Caleta Olla. Photo by Jamie Goodhart
49. Caleta Olla - Ringed Kingfisher
A Ringed Kingfisher spent a lot of time sat on a branch above the bay, occasionally darting into the water to catch a sardine.
50. Caleta Olla - Magellanic Woodpecker.
The Megallanic Woodpeckers are enormous and strikingly beautiful. Photo by Stefan Jachmich
52. Caleta Yendegaia
This wide fjord separates Chile from Argentina. An old estancia, originally set up as a mission by the Bridges family, is now run by two gauchos from the Friends of Yendegaia.
53. Tierra del Fuego - Chimango Caracara
The beaches of Yendegaia, and much of Tierra del Fuego, are patrolled by the intelligent, bold and cheeky Chimangos.
55. Tierra del Fuego - Southern Crested Caracara (Carancho)
The Carancho is a very large and strikingly beautiful Caracara.
56. Tierra del Fuego - Patagonia Fox (South American Grey Fox)
The Patagonian Fox, also known as the South American Grey Fox, is a common scavenger in Tierra del Fuego, and is larger than its European counterpart.
