HIGHLIGHTS- Penguin, seal and whale
encounters on daily shore
visits and Zodiac cruises. - Visit historic research huts
and scientific stations. - Sail the Weddell Sea past
vast icebergs and in search
of geological wonders. - Land at Elephant Island.
- Visit penguin rookeries.
- Pay your respects at the
explorer’s Grytviken grave. - Trace Shackleton’s journey
from Fortuna Bay–Stromness. - A small group has the
chance to trek across
South Georgia as part
of our Alpine Crossing.
DETAILSFIND a video of the record-breaking circumnavigation online at:
http://www.australiangeographic.com.au/issue129
November–December 2015 87It’s impossible not to be inspired
by the miraculous scope for
existence on our planet.
had to push on non-stop for 36 hours to make the crossing.
It took us three days to reach Stromness, now a whale
graveyard that has become the dominion of fur seals and pen-
guins. It was where we ended our South Georgia odyssey. As we
waited to be collected by Pelagic, I felt a weight lift from my
shoulders and euphoria rose in me. After years of dreaming and
planning, we’d completed both of our objectives. But my sense
of achievement ran much deeper.
South Georgia is a wild and beautiful place where life is mar-
ginal but remarkably abundant, and it’s impossible not to be
inspired by the miraculous scope for existence on our planet.
Away from home comforts and pleasures, the important things
in life had become clearer and we realised that what truly keeps
us alive is our strength of spirit. We had shared an extraordinary
adventure and shown that old blokes really can do great stuff.AG
Climbing bonus. Scaling 862m-high Snow Peak on the island’s north-west
made a nice break from paddling for John (above, at left) and Andrew.
Chris, Andrew, Jim and John complete the circumnavigation of South
Georgia at Grytviken, where they celebrate in style.
I
N MARCH 2017 the AG Society will partner with Aurora
Expeditions for a special voyage to South Georgia and
the Antarctic to mark 100 years since the conclusion of
Sir Ernest Shackleton’s epic adventure in 1917. This will
commemorate his famous journey across South Georgia
to rescue crew stranded on Elephant Island. We’ll follow
his route, offering a small group the chance to walk in his
footsteps. You will be led by a team of expert guides,
naturalists and historians, who will interpret the wildlife
and history of this remarkable destination.DATES: 8–25 March 2017 (18 days)
VESSEL: The 54-passenger Polar Pioneer
COST: From US$14,300 pp
ROUTE: Ushuaia, Argentina–Santiago, Chile
BOOKINGS: Call 02 9252 1033 or 1800 637 688,
or visit: http://www.auroraexpeditions.com.au/
expeditions/expedition/in-shackletons-footstepsIN SHACKLETON’S
FOOTSTEPS
AUSTRALIAN GEOGRAPHIC
SOCIETY UPCOMING EXPEDITIONEXPEDITION ROUTE