Arrived in Punta Arenas, Chile

I have been uploading my Palmer Station videos to YouTube. On the settings (the small gear on the bottom right side of the viewing screen on YouTube) select HD for the best quality.

https://youtu.be/6ww4V3QA6JI
https://youtu.be/5BCfcEU0oH0 https://youtu.be/iw6BP7n7V6M
https://youtu.be/IIzcZiEQypg
https://youtu.be/AFnA1X23E2U
https://youtu.be/KUriA5GDnSU

The Lawrence M. Gould has arrived in Punta Arenas, Chile after a relatively calm four day crossing from Palmer Station across the Drake Passage, up the Atlantic coast of South America and through the Straights of Magellan. The 2019 Winterover Crew met last night for a few hours of celebration of another excellent winter season.

Today the winter crew has scattered to home or parts unknown as we are all adventurers. I along with several others are spending a few extra days in Punta Arenas to explore before heading home.

This concludes my fifth Antarctic winter. Will I return? One never knows until it happens. I have had a great second career on ice but haven't lived at home now for eight years in between biking around the world and a working adventure in Antarctic. I want to thank my very understanding wife Andrea for allowing me to live this adventure and also a big thank you to my son Cary and daughter Jocelyn who have taken care of their mom and home.

Thank you to everyone for reading and your comments. In the song of the great Louis Armstrong it is indeed "What a Wonderful World."

The Lawrence M. Gould moored in front of the Nathaniel B. Palmer, the larger Antarctic Research Vessel.

The city of Punta Arenas, Chile.

Busy on the pier.

Looking astern to the Palmer.

We have arrived at home port.

The Gould and the Palmer.

A final farewell picture.

Underway to Punta Arenas, Chile on the Lawrence M. Gould

I have been uploading my Palmer Station videos to YouTube. On the settings (the small gear on the bottom right side of the viewing screen on YouTube) select HD for the best quality.

https://youtu.be/SMFdo6fviPc

https://youtu.be/K76nuqXfxvE

https://youtu.be/VCxTzxJmdKg

https://youtu.be/A4Mp8gPkijA

I made popcorn every week for my in room snack. One last batch for the bar.

A last Palmer sunset.

Underway on the Lawrence M. Gould.

My last look at Palmer Station.

The Gould breaking through the ice.

The view from the bridge.

We spotted seals and penguins on the ice.

A huge iceberg.

A chart showing Anvers Island. Palmer Station to the upper left. We then cruised through the stunning Neumayer Channel to the right.

Views through the Neumayer Channel, Antarctic Peninsula.

A snowy sheathbill walking the cable.

Our position on Tuesday morning October 15th. 

The End of Winter Season

I have been uploading my Palmer Station videos to YouTube. On the settings (the small gear on the bottom right side of the viewing screen on YouTube) select HD for the best quality.

https://youtu.be/GjN-wzEEl8c
https://youtu.be/xFokFiej5eA

Our winterover patch design by Ken. The winter science project was the study of krill.

This is the night view.

Arthur Harbor ice breaking up. It seems you could almost jump from one ice pad to another all the way across.

The Lawrence M. Gould is on the way from Punta Arenas, Chile with our summer relief crew. They are having a rough time heading into the seas.

Once out of the Drake Passage there is lots of ice to power through to reach Anvers Island.

The Lawrence M. Gould arriving at Arthur Harbor after a five day transit from Punta Arenas, Chile across the Drake Passage and Cape Horn.

A fine bow line handlers crew preparing to moor the Gould. I'm second from the left. Photo credit: Ken.

Breaking ice in Hero Inlet.

The summer crew has arrived. After a one week turnaround we the winter crew will leave for Punta Arenas and home on October 13th.

After seven months freshies have arrived!

Having freshies is a really big deal for winter Antarcticans!

A fine salad bar!

The Gould at Palmer Station pier.

Our 2019 Winterover picture with driftwood frame made by carpenter Rick. The driftwood was found on the rocks here.

2018 and 2019 Winterover pictures with frames. I'm in both.

Our Winterover picture showing our video chat with Cristina Koch onboard the ISS last month.