We are crossing the Drake Passage, often referred to as the roughest ocean in the world. HA! It is as smooth as a swimming pool! Fiona, a ship's naturalist, tells us this is the calmest she has seen in over 60 crossings. Tomorrow we see Antarctica!
Monday, December 24, 2007
Thursday, December 20, 2007
We're off!
Well folks -
We are off to Antarctica later today!
The whole group has headed to Tierra del Fuego National Park for the day. They will have an authentic Argentinian BBQ in the open air, and see Nothofagus forests, spectacular views of the Beagle Channel (named after Darwin's ship - see photo), and exotic invasive beavers! Yes, it's true. Beavers are considered a pest here in Tierra del Fuego. They were introduced many years ago for the fur trade, which never really amounted to anything. Now the beavers are destroying landscapes and forests in this new environment. As a Canadian (eh?), who is proud of the history of beavers in the development of our country, it is interesting to be someplace where my national symbol is considered a pest. It's like an American visiting a place where bald eagles are unwanted!!
At 4pm we all are meeting to board the ship and then it is down the Beagle Channel to the Drake Passage. By early morning we will be sailing through the open waters and towards Antarctica. Sometime late Friday or early Saturday morning we will see our first icebergs... and then later on Saturday we will probably see land! Some of our ROAMers will be REALLY happy to sea land. The Southern Ocean is the roughest ocean in the world and the boat will probably be rocking back and forth and back and forth and.... well you get the picture, there might be some sea sickness, but it will all be worth it when we get to our ultimate destination - ANTARTICA!
We will try to post a few blogs from Antarctica, but these will likely be few and far between. We will update you with all the big news when we get back in 10 days.
Happy Holidays!
We are off to Antarctica later today!
The whole group has headed to Tierra del Fuego National Park for the day. They will have an authentic Argentinian BBQ in the open air, and see Nothofagus forests, spectacular views of the Beagle Channel (named after Darwin's ship - see photo), and exotic invasive beavers! Yes, it's true. Beavers are considered a pest here in Tierra del Fuego. They were introduced many years ago for the fur trade, which never really amounted to anything. Now the beavers are destroying landscapes and forests in this new environment. As a Canadian (eh?), who is proud of the history of beavers in the development of our country, it is interesting to be someplace where my national symbol is considered a pest. It's like an American visiting a place where bald eagles are unwanted!!
At 4pm we all are meeting to board the ship and then it is down the Beagle Channel to the Drake Passage. By early morning we will be sailing through the open waters and towards Antarctica. Sometime late Friday or early Saturday morning we will see our first icebergs... and then later on Saturday we will probably see land! Some of our ROAMers will be REALLY happy to sea land. The Southern Ocean is the roughest ocean in the world and the boat will probably be rocking back and forth and back and forth and.... well you get the picture, there might be some sea sickness, but it will all be worth it when we get to our ultimate destination - ANTARTICA!
We will try to post a few blogs from Antarctica, but these will likely be few and far between. We will update you with all the big news when we get back in 10 days.
Happy Holidays!
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Mitzel en el fin del Mundo Parte 3 (Mitzel at the end of the world part 3)
Mañana es el gran día!!!! Mañana subimos al barco Orlova que nos llevara al sur de nuestro planeta!! Pero hay malas noticias…Se dice que el viaje cuando pasemos por el pasaje Drake, será bastante difícil y se espera que el 99.9% de la tripulación nos den mareos, ya que se dice que las olas son bastante grandes y la corriente muy fuerte… creo que me la pasare dormida todo el camino y totalmente drogada con mis medicamentos = P Así que piensen en mi por las siguientes 72 horas mientras caminen por tierra estable…= S Bueno aunque pasando ese pasaje se dice que se calmara el viaje pero mejor hay que prevenir que lamentar… Apenas termine de empacar mi ropa y el regalo del intercambio que haremos con algunos de los participantes. Esa será nuestra Navidad mientras uds. están en casa con su familia disfrutando un rico chocolate caliente, o calientitos (se me antojaron…) con un rico buñuelo y bajo cobijas calientitas…Eh…yo no…YO estaré en compañía del frío de la Antartida y llorando porque los extraño a todos!!! JA!!! No se crean!! Me la pasare padrísimo y tomare muchísimas fotos para todos uds.!!
Piensen en mi en esta Navidad y también recuerden que los quiero mucho!!!
Pero a primera hora mañana iremos a un parque de la ciudad que no tengo idea como se llama pero creo que haremos lo mismo que ayer, escalar, escalar, escalar, y más escalar…. = )
Ah…se me olvidaba decirles que lo que más se come aquí es el cordero…guacala!! = P
Besos y los mejores deseos en esta Navidad de parte de la “becerra” (aka. Mitzel, o sea YO!)
Piensen en mi en esta Navidad y también recuerden que los quiero mucho!!!
Pero a primera hora mañana iremos a un parque de la ciudad que no tengo idea como se llama pero creo que haremos lo mismo que ayer, escalar, escalar, escalar, y más escalar…. = )
Ah…se me olvidaba decirles que lo que más se come aquí es el cordero…guacala!! = P
Besos y los mejores deseos en esta Navidad de parte de la “becerra” (aka. Mitzel, o sea YO!)
Too cool plants!
Too cool plants!
As Bill said, we took a chair lift up a mountain just outside town yesterday to see the famous Martial glacier and practice research techniques we will use in Antarctica. There had been a great deal of snow, so it was hard to pick the glacier out of the blanket whiteness. The chill wind began to blow as we dangled from our chairs, but when we got off the lift, the trail was steep and most of us where shedding layers as we climbed.
Notable plants:
Nothofagus is the tree that helped establish the theory of plate techtonics! It grows on all of the fragments of old Gondwanaland. I like the pretty crimped leaflets.
The cushion plant: You can see why it called a cushion. It grows very slowly in the cold alpine ecosystem, but can reach hundreds of years of age. It actually retracts its roots in winter to keep them from freezing, I learned. This growth form is found all over the world in alpine conditions. Apparently, it can modify the local habitat so that a diversity of other plants can grow. It is warmer than surrounding vegetation; we measured with our techy heat sensor. Izzy found several insects and other invertebrates in it, too.
As Bill said, we took a chair lift up a mountain just outside town yesterday to see the famous Martial glacier and practice research techniques we will use in Antarctica. There had been a great deal of snow, so it was hard to pick the glacier out of the blanket whiteness. The chill wind began to blow as we dangled from our chairs, but when we got off the lift, the trail was steep and most of us where shedding layers as we climbed.
Notable plants:
Nothofagus is the tree that helped establish the theory of plate techtonics! It grows on all of the fragments of old Gondwanaland. I like the pretty crimped leaflets.
The cushion plant: You can see why it called a cushion. It grows very slowly in the cold alpine ecosystem, but can reach hundreds of years of age. It actually retracts its roots in winter to keep them from freezing, I learned. This growth form is found all over the world in alpine conditions. Apparently, it can modify the local habitat so that a diversity of other plants can grow. It is warmer than surrounding vegetation; we measured with our techy heat sensor. Izzy found several insects and other invertebrates in it, too.
Preparations in the Field
December 18, 2007
In the afternoon on December 18, we made our way to the local ski hill, which sits at the base of a glacier. The goal of this field experience is to learn about the local setting and how it compares and contrasts to conditions we will see in Antarctica. Craig and Aaron gave overviews at various spots along the way in order to identify both terrestrial and physical geological information including specific traits of plants and grasses, the U-shape of the valley of a glacier area and the distribution of plants. In small groups, we also practiced using the GPS monitors and marking points throughout our journey on the mountain and to practice using the technology. We also had instruction in the use of a compass, both in the field with maps and without maps. This was practical in the sense that it allowed us to look for ways to keep oriented in areas that we have never visitied or where reference points may be difficult to determine. While nearing the top of the hill, the groups began to practice the specific field experiences to see exactly how much time would be involved in the set up, collection and tear down. This rehearsal time was critical as a group will in reality have between 1 and 1 ½ hours at a given site from which to collect data. This was especially critical for the terrestrial, aquatic and physical sciences groups.
In the afternoon on December 18, we made our way to the local ski hill, which sits at the base of a glacier. The goal of this field experience is to learn about the local setting and how it compares and contrasts to conditions we will see in Antarctica. Craig and Aaron gave overviews at various spots along the way in order to identify both terrestrial and physical geological information including specific traits of plants and grasses, the U-shape of the valley of a glacier area and the distribution of plants. In small groups, we also practiced using the GPS monitors and marking points throughout our journey on the mountain and to practice using the technology. We also had instruction in the use of a compass, both in the field with maps and without maps. This was practical in the sense that it allowed us to look for ways to keep oriented in areas that we have never visitied or where reference points may be difficult to determine. While nearing the top of the hill, the groups began to practice the specific field experiences to see exactly how much time would be involved in the set up, collection and tear down. This rehearsal time was critical as a group will in reality have between 1 and 1 ½ hours at a given site from which to collect data. This was especially critical for the terrestrial, aquatic and physical sciences groups.
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Mitzel at world's end Part 2 (Mitzel en el fin del mundo Parte 2)
Bueno, es la una y media de la mañana y aquí me tienen escribiéndoles… Hoy fue un día bastante intenso. Empezó nuestro día con la ya común junta de la mañana en la que continuamos trabajando en nuestros proyectos. Tuvimos una lección de fotografía, la cual aun no estoy muy segura, los profesores nos entregaron el equipo para utilizar en nuestra adquisición de datos y terminamos la junta con las indicaciones de la presentación que tendremos que hacer en unas cuantas horas en la junta. Alrededor de las dos de la tarde, fuimos a visitar el glaciar Martial. Recuerdan las montañas de las cuales les platique al principio cuando llegue al aeropuerto? Pues este glacial se encuentra justo en ellas. Y ahí estuve para presenciar la grandeza de las montañas y el frío de la nieve que las cubre. Mi condición y habilidad realmente fueron cuestionadas en esta excursión!!!! Realmente no se cuanto recorrimos pero se que la inclinación a la que estábamos escalando estas montanas era realmente horrible!!! Por un momento sentí que ya no podía mas…pero la vista que tenia frente a mi era tan impresionante que solo me quedaba seguir escalando. Sobre piedra, tierra, lodo, y nieve tuve que caminar. Nuestra misión era ver el glaciar mientras otros miembros del grupo se dirigían a una región donde imitarían los ejercicios y experimentos que llevaran a cabo en la Antartida. Nunca había estado cerca de científicos reales, y miren que son realmente sorpresivos. De regreso solo esperaba y ansiaba ver las combis que nos regresarían al hotel. No sentía mis pies, mis tobillos me decían “Ya no mas!” quería bañarme, traía mucha hambre, y aparte tenia mucho trabajo que hacer. Por eso es que escribo a estas horas…
He estado bastante ocupada y no me da tiempo de pensar en nada que no sea este proyecto. Estoy muy contenta con lo que hemos hecho. Aunque hemos tenido algunas dificultades estoy segura que el grupo a la hora de trabajar, estaremos listos. Ya estamos planeando lo que cada quien hará en el barco y cuando lleguemos a los sitios en la Antartida. Mi porción la haré solamente en el barco ya que son encuestas y algunas entrevistas, pero cuando pongamos pie en la Antartida ahí trabajaré con los científicos de los equipos para ayudarles a recaudar información y otras cosas que necesiten = )
El jueves salimos rumbo al continente de hielo y regresaremos el 29 de Diciembre. En esos días estaré completamente desconectada pero creo que podremos hacer podcasts y algunas llamadas a las estaciones locales de El Paso. Estoy un poco triste porque no he podido escribir en mi diario pero lo haré una de mis prioridades = )
Desde Argentina les mando muchos besos y abrazos y espero verlos muy pronto!!!
Ciao
12/18-19/07
(Mike did you get all this? = P)
He estado bastante ocupada y no me da tiempo de pensar en nada que no sea este proyecto. Estoy muy contenta con lo que hemos hecho. Aunque hemos tenido algunas dificultades estoy segura que el grupo a la hora de trabajar, estaremos listos. Ya estamos planeando lo que cada quien hará en el barco y cuando lleguemos a los sitios en la Antartida. Mi porción la haré solamente en el barco ya que son encuestas y algunas entrevistas, pero cuando pongamos pie en la Antartida ahí trabajaré con los científicos de los equipos para ayudarles a recaudar información y otras cosas que necesiten = )
El jueves salimos rumbo al continente de hielo y regresaremos el 29 de Diciembre. En esos días estaré completamente desconectada pero creo que podremos hacer podcasts y algunas llamadas a las estaciones locales de El Paso. Estoy un poco triste porque no he podido escribir en mi diario pero lo haré una de mis prioridades = )
Desde Argentina les mando muchos besos y abrazos y espero verlos muy pronto!!!
Ciao
12/18-19/07
(Mike did you get all this? = P)
The Entire Group Emerges
December 17, 2007
Last night, Craig gave an overview of the town and the plan to come. After that, we went through Ushuaia and had a nice dinner that included seafood and local flavors. The weather is also pretty nice, in the mid 50s with intermittent clouds and wind. It is good weather for our blue fleeces, and we thank our sponsors for them greatly. They also help to identify the group all around town. There are a number of tourists here embarking on this type of journey, so we do not feel so alone or isolated. We are looking forward to meeting more people as we prepare for the ship.
The groups have spent the day working on the planning for each group’s activities and the mechanics of each day to come. Each group also gave an overview of their projects so that the individuals and groups can see crossovers and areas that need assistance. We also went out by teams on a treasure hunt in order to explore sites around the town. Interestingly, they also have a skatepark in town, which I hope to visit during the week. In the evening, we went to La Reuda, a restaurant that serves up traditional Argentinean barbeque meat (lamb, beef, ad sausage – cordero, carne de res, y salchicha).
Last night, Craig gave an overview of the town and the plan to come. After that, we went through Ushuaia and had a nice dinner that included seafood and local flavors. The weather is also pretty nice, in the mid 50s with intermittent clouds and wind. It is good weather for our blue fleeces, and we thank our sponsors for them greatly. They also help to identify the group all around town. There are a number of tourists here embarking on this type of journey, so we do not feel so alone or isolated. We are looking forward to meeting more people as we prepare for the ship.
The groups have spent the day working on the planning for each group’s activities and the mechanics of each day to come. Each group also gave an overview of their projects so that the individuals and groups can see crossovers and areas that need assistance. We also went out by teams on a treasure hunt in order to explore sites around the town. Interestingly, they also have a skatepark in town, which I hope to visit during the week. In the evening, we went to La Reuda, a restaurant that serves up traditional Argentinean barbeque meat (lamb, beef, ad sausage – cordero, carne de res, y salchicha).
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