{"id":9911,"date":"2023-10-23T16:54:06","date_gmt":"2023-10-23T23:54:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/interspace-design.com\/blog\/?p=9911"},"modified":"2023-12-05T11:51:45","modified_gmt":"2023-12-05T19:51:45","slug":"antarctica-camp-penguin-creche-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/interspace-design.com\/blog\/antarctica-camp-penguin-creche-3","title":{"rendered":"The BIG CHILL in Antarctica \u2013 Party Cr\u00e8ching Penguins & Icy Wonderland, Part 3"},"content":{"rendered":"

Day 4 at Penguin Camp<\/a>. As if yesterday\u2019s blizzard didn\u2019t wreak enough havoc, turned out it had brought down our solar panels and flooded the generator to boot. Now we got a new problem: we had lost all sources of power. Everyone was told to unplug their electronic devices to conserve energy for Casper\u2019s daily satellite pow-wows with Union Glacier Camp. It was the only means to get weather reports and the next flight window. Our saving grace was the Antarctic summer\u2019s 24-hour sun, which eliminates the need for any lighting. Also, jet fuel is used to heat all the stoves and melt ice for our water supply, which lessens the camp\u2019s electrical demand.<\/p>\n

\"Penguin<\/a>
Weather of the day\u2026<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Winds were gusting at 25-30 knots (29-40 mph or 46-65 km\/h) with drifting snow. It was still too hazardous for us to venture out and the ALE crew seriously needed some rest, so we just lounged around the Club House shooting the breeze, nibbling on snacks and sipping hot drinks. Fortunately or unfortunately, alcoholic drinks were limited to meal times, so there were no social disturbances despite everyone drinking copiously for hours.<\/p>\n

Due to the power outage, Noah, our naturalist guide was unable to give any presentations (short of doing hand puppets). However, sensing the non-natives were getting restless, he jumped in as Chief Entertainment Officer while Casper and others went out again to continue storm proofing the camp. He got us playing Yahtzee<\/a> and Bananagram<\/a>, some much more successfully than others. It was a pleasant diversion that kept us busy and out of trouble till time for our most excellent dinner of seared lamb chops. Now if every meal was like that, I might just stay behind\u2026<\/p>\n

\"Looking<\/a>
On a Penguin Hunt.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After dinner, a gaggle of Emperors was seen wandering around camp. With nothing better to do, most of us suited up and grabbed our cameras to go on a passeggiata-cum-penguin photo safari.<\/p>\n

\"Pic<\/a>
Penguin Camp souvenir pic with Basler and Emperors.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

There was little material change in the weather the following day, so no outings to the emperor penguin colony again. However more penguins came by, and a couple of Emperors obligingly parked themselves in front of the Basler. It was hard to resist this photo op.<\/p>\n

More worrisome was the state of the generator. Ivan, the flight engineer, had taken it apart to check everything out and found no obvious issues. If the generator still failed to start after a couple days, it would have to be replaced once planes could land. However running out of backup power before then would cut us off from the outside world and make life challenging.<\/p>\n

\"Rookery<\/a>
Packed reception.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Finally some good news. Casper got the latest weather report and confirmation for our Saturday departure. With that, all ALE staff swung into high gear. Most were busy digging out tents or moving the plane on the runway, while the guides took off to check on the penguin colony and prepare for our last visit in the late afternoon.<\/p>\n

Apparently some crevasses had opened up over the last couple days, so our guides flagged a new route and we must go as a single group for safety reasons. Disappointingly, the penguins had moved 1 km (.62 mi) further away, so it was a longer slog than usual, but sight of the bustling rookery made it all worthwhile.<\/p>\n

\"Couple<\/a>
Dancing chicks.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Even more gratifying, these penguin chicks came out to greet us a show off their latest line dancing steps.<\/p>\n

\"Emperor<\/a>
Receiving line.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I happened to see this neat row of penguins. Half were standing at attention while the other half were bowing to feed their chicks.<\/p>\n

\"2<\/a>
Party cr\u00e8ching.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It was a stroke of luck that someone spotted the cr\u00e8ches<\/a> of emperor penguin chicks shortly before we were set to leave. It was extraordinarily exciting to see not 1 but 2 circles of baby penguins forming. The huddled chicks were not having a rave party, but getting together to for warmth and protection. I could certainly appreciate that, as a bitter wind had started to whip up.<\/p>\n

We bid reluctant goodbyes to the Emperors and started on what I would since call the Death March. Had to say it was pretty much my own fault for failing to secure my polar parka\u2019s hood before heading back. But dinner time was coming up and everyone was leaving in a hurry. Unfortunately, I was walking into an increasingly strong wind, which whipped back my hood, treating me to \u2018refreshing\u2019 blasts of Polar air. I also had trouble moving forward, bringing up memories of my recent blizzard encounter… Seeing the backs of the group disappearing in the distance and afraid of being left behind, I made hurried attempts to put the hood back on, only to have it blown backwards with every gust until I finally stopped to properly zip and cinch up the offending hood. Net result was a well chilled neck and extra time on the long, cold trek than if I had done things right to begin with.<\/p>\n

\"Pic<\/a>
Out of the wilderness (relatively speaking).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

That evening, Casper told us there was a small window after tomorrow\u2019s breakfast to fly out. The next morning, we all took one last look around Penguin Camp where we spent the most memorable 6 days of our lives. The tents were half swallowed by the drifting snow again, a reminder that we are visitors in a land where nature still reigns supreme. Shortly before leaving, the generator finally kicked in, so life is good once more.<\/p>\n

After a round of fond farewells with the awesome Penguin Camp staff, it was time to leave for Union Glacier. Once there, we barely had time to get our luggage into the assigned tents. It was almost \u2018civilization shock\u2019 to see 8-ft standing height clam tents with cots and hot water showers after Penguin Camp. UG tents have names associated with legendary polar explorers. Mine was \u2018Fuchs\u2019 of Sir Vivian Ernest Fuchs<\/a> fame. He spearheaded the Commonwealth Trans-Antarctic Expedition to reach the South Pole overland in 1958.<\/p>\n

That afternoon was a whirlwind of activities \u2013 a late lunch, facility tour, champagne reception where we received our Certificates of Achievement, followed by dinner. We were scheduled to overnight at UG and then return to Punta Arenas next afternoon when the tour ends. Due to our tight schedule, the camp guides got approval for a rare double excursion after dinner to see the major geologic features of the area.<\/p>\n