Lemaire Channel has steep cliffs that hem in this iceberg-filled passage, which is only 7 miles long (11km) and only 1,600 meters wide. The surrounding formations also serve to protect the water, so much so, that it appears to be as still and tranquil as a lake.
The sunset was like fire and ice. The image falls short of just how amazing this actually was.Surreal lighting at sunset (11:45 PM). Because it is summer here it never gets dark. The sunrise will occur in about 3 or 4 hours time (approximately 3:30 AM).Nearby formations rising almost vertically from the water.The pastel colors were amazing.Crazy spectators taking in the moment. My hippie friend was from Germany. His personality was at least as big as it appears in this image. Hot tub “selfies.” Why bother with capturing images of the incredible sunset, colors, rock formations, and ice forms when you can take “selfies?”
The following day we are on to the Neumayer Channel. These channels were about a one day sail apart from each other and almost as different as could be. No more clear skies, a lot more wind, as well as an uncountable amount of sailing hazards in the form of rock outcroppings, underwater rock spires, and icebergs.
Hazards along the way. The Quest’s captain is required to be an “ice-master” before sailing to either the Arctic or the Antarctic. The qualification as an “ice-master” has absolutely nothing to do with the doomed 1913 voyage of the Karluk, which sank in the Arctic Ocean and taking with it more than half its crew.More treacherous seas and a sizable iceberg looming in the background. That berg is more than enough to severely cripple or sink any ship colliding or grazing it. Notice the Russian expedition ship in the foreground. Upon closer inspection with my binoculars it confirmed my feeling that this could be a tough way to travel to this part of the world. It’s probably not a stretch to also believe that the captain of the Russian ship is probably somewhat intoxicated for much of the journey.Almost through the channel at this point. These spires are approximately 300-400 meters (1,000-1,250 feet) rising almost straight up from the water.This is as far as we were able to go as the ice became too abundant. The Captain smartly decided to rotate our vessel 180 degrees and head back the way we entered the channel.
