Don't Give Up
January 17, 2005 | 22:59

Last night we set sail for home. It was an amazing time down here, and I wish we could stay and explore further. We received certificates tonight making us official Antarctic Discoverers. We’ve made it! I can no longer say, “We’re going to Antarctica,” but now can say, “We’ve been to Antarctica!” It is both sad and exhilarating. I look forward to returning to the world of people and places and things to do, but a part of me wishes to stay here. Despite the cold and wind and waves and isolation, the majesty of this continent truly sets it apart from all the rest. The unconquerable wild South; forever distant, forever dangerous, and forever in our dreams.

Today I interviewed Kim Crosbie, our expedition leader for this trip. Her stories about working in this environment were awesome. Coming from Edinborough, Scotland, she has always loved cold weather. She was originally interested in the Arctic and received a masters from Cambridge University in Polar Studies. After visiting Antarctica to help plan the logistics of a scientific expedition, she also fell in love with this pole, later pursuing a PhD in Wildlife and Tourist Attractions in Antarctica. She has held a variety of jobs in both places, and became the first United Kingdom female field leader in the Antarctic! She spends about four months of the year leading tour groups in the area, and loves getting to show people this amazing place and influence their first impressions of the seventh continent.

As a leader in such a remote and challenging atmosphere she has excelled. Each time we get in the zodiacs it’s another adventure for her to put together. She’s been great at keeping us all safe and alive, but also making each landing fun (not to mention putting up with eleven rowdy college students trapped on a ship). She explained to me how her first tour as an expedition leader was a total disaster, yet she gave things a second chance and came to love the job. Try everything twice, a second chance can show you a new side to things is a lesson to be learned from her story. As a leader she has also had to remember to keep things in context, and balance the responsibility with keeping things fun for all. She has learned to do this from a mentor who taught her how to effectively manage and deal with people, and Jean Charcot, an early Antarctic explorer famous for his scientific contributions and his ability to keep his crew safe and happy. But her biggest lesson to be learned from leading in the Antarctic is this: Don’t give up. It may not be easy at the beginning, but in the end it is worth it. We all owe her a big thanks for these lessons, and for an awesome trip!

Our First Iceberg!
January 12, 2005 | 09:30

North of Shetland Islands

Dear Journal,

Today I spotted our first iceberg! At approximately 63 degrees south by 59 degrees west, thirty five nautical miles north of the South Shetland Islands, it appeared on the horizon dead ahead of the ship. One moment there was nothing there but a hazy grey fog, and then it appeared like a small white mountain, looming there in front of us. I ran up to the bridge and found out that it had been spotted only moments earlier by the crew. We altered course and passed the iceberg on our starboard side, about one thousand feet from it. Several penguins were resting on it, lined up along a ridge leading up from the waters edge. It was an amazing sight, well worth the hours of waiting and watching. Excitement is being felt by all; we’ve almost arrived!

See the iceberg Dan spotted

About Winter Term in Antarctica

About the M/S Andrea

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