Our morning was spent exploring the ice conditions in the
area known as the Gullet. If this narrow passage is passable it would allow the
FRAM to motor northward along the east side of Anvers Island. However if ice is
blocking the channel the FRAM will have to reverse its heading and proceed
south then west then north around the western- outside coast of Adelaide
Island. The first route is not only shorter, but saves diesel fuel and provided
spectacular scenery.
The weather conditions were not cooperative. At breakfast
time the FRAM were headed north into the Gulllet. We were facing strong winds,
ground fog and a nearly solid barrier of floating seaice with bergy-bits. The
radar showed the ice conditions to the north to be the same. The captain took
all these factors into account and at about 9:20am he reached the decision to
turn the FRAM’s heading from northward to southward. This means we will have to
follow “Plan B” and go around the southern end of Adelaide Island, then pass
along the western side of the Island on our northbound transit.
And why not land? On our southbound transit we pass by Pourquoi
Pas Island and ‘why not’ as the name of the island translates from the French -
land there. We did land there in a small bay that was well protected from the
swells. On shore a significant number of male fur seals were lounging about.
Pourquoi Pas Island provided us with different type of landing spot and a close
up of the fur seals.
In the late afternoon we had a “swell landing” at Jenny
Island. From offshore we spied several Elephant Seals lounging on the rocks and
as we had not seen this species of seals before we decided to do a short
landing at Jenny Island. The landing beach has significant swells and the
surging Polarcirkle boats needed four or more Expedition Staff to steady the
boats as we landed. There was a steep climb up the cobble beach face to a
relatively level stretch were we could walk and then photograph the Elephant
Seals. During our landing adventures the seals did nothing but lounge around
and barely opened an eye or two.
Now to round the southern margin of Adelaide Island and head
northward.
