Antarctica
 

Bear Islander is leaving on an expedition to Antarctica. Around Cape Horn in a sailboat then sailing down to Antarctica for a month. You can read daily updates and view pictures at www.icetent.net

Xplore sure looks like a super-duper, big-bucks sailboat......what it probably takes to sail from the southern tip of South America to Antarctica.....any clue what is its' length, beam, weight and fastest-fastest sailing speed?

Does the Xplore have a hot tub? If I went to Antactica by sailing yacht.....having a 104-degree, hot tub on-board ....would be nice.......yeah......just look at them whales........baby!

I will try and post updates every day, however this weekend is the ocean crossing and I will probably be feeding the fish most of the time. 30ft swells.

No hot tub on board but we visit Deception Island which is an active volcano and we can swim in the hot lagoon.

Below is info on Xplore. The important thing is the steel hull. Sometimes we push through ice.

http://www.xplore-expeditions.com/1-15991-The-yacht.php

Specifications:
Length: 18.6m
Beam: 17 feet – 5.26m
Hull material: HSLA steel
Designer: David Thomas
Builder: Devonport Yachts Ltd.
Berths: 12

time for me to go to the rest home.
 

I'm thinking about Bear Islander's trip, and saying to myself why on God's green earth would he go there in the winter....and then Dawn over Marblehead, it is winter here, but in the Southern Hemisphere, it is of course summer... a relative term at the South Pole.

So, BI, enjoy your trip...God speed.

Speaking of long trips BI, when do you go into orbit?

This year I hope.

I am in Argentina right now.

I had the pleasure of recieving an e-mail from BI on his last expedition to the South Pole.Good luck!!

Argentina
 

BI

Good luck. Keep us informed. I hope you have time to spend in Buenos Aires, I had a great time there. Great steak and red wine! People were very friendly.

Have a wonderful trip. Something I dream of doing!!!

LG

Enjoy looking forward to your posts

Antarctica...Yikes
 

Hi Bear Islander--

Since you are in Argentina at present, I thought I might send along some food for thought--I went to Antarctica in 2010 on a decommissioned Russian ice breaker--We had 55 mph winds and 45 foot swells, and on the previous voyage, someone fell and broke their arm just walking around the ship. That said, if at all possible, I would encourage you to go to Ushuaia (southern tip of Argentina), and see if there are any vacancies on larger boats, rather than attempt it in a sailing vessel. There are typically vacancies this time of year, since folks often miss flights due to weather, so it's entirely possible to get a cabin on a larger ship for a fraction of the cost.

While it is technically "summer" in Antarctica, it is still a very dangerous time--I am attaching a photo demonstrating what "summer" looks like. This photo was taken in February 2010.

Wishing you all the best for your adventure, and please stay safe.

Kinda hard to call a paid sail/taxi an expedition unless he's self-supported and sailing himself.

Adventure tourism would be more accurate description. I've been to Mt Everest Base camp but would never call it an expedition.

I've been to the North Pole while in the Navy on a submarine. And you can't go on the internet and book a trip to do it.... Other than a check off on a list the poles are not that interesting IMO.

Have fun.

He's BTDT and is well aware of the risks. Check out his website linked in the first post of this thread to see what I am talking about.

Have a fantastic trip BI. I will be looking forward to your posts. Have fun but the most important thing is; stay safe.

I'm not much of a fan of really cold weather but I'd say after spending a couple of weeks in Antarctica, everything feels like Spring, even the lakes region. I spent a couple of weeks in Florida in June-July years ago and I swear I'll never complain about the heat up here again.

Myself, in the Winter I'd rather go someplace where I can strut around in my Speedo (okay, not really).

Ushuaia
 

I had a look at Ushuaia in Google Earth the other day and I believe I found the Yacht Xplore tied up cross ways at the end of the "Yacht Club" dock. It's the longest boat on the pier..checked the length with the "Ruler" under "Tools". It measured 67 feet. Cool. :D

I'm going to take a guess and say that Yachting doesn't look like a big pastime down there...although it looked like a few smaller boats out on moorings near the Yacht Club dock.

Plug in Ushuaia, Argentina. It's on the big island of Tierra Del Fuego.

The Yacht Xplore is about 625 yards South West of the docked cruise ship. :) NB

I think you're right about the Yacht Xplore.

I put a push pin where you said Xplore is located:

YUP: That's the spot. :) NB

BI hasn't posted (http://icetent.net/) since shortly after they got underway so I guess conditions are less than optimal....:D It ain't Winni....:D NB

FWIW: When the Horizon dissapears..like at sea at NIGHT..No Moon..Lack of Spacial Orientation can lead to Sea Sickness......

Has he undertaken this trip before?

Yes
 

As others suggested, go to BI's website and read about his world adventures. He was on the Xplore in 09... Fascinating read!

Happy Sailing BI!

Well they're underway, first post 7pm (tuesday Feb 4th) which was the 5th up here. Dolphins escort them out of the bay.
If you click on the date on this post it will allow you to enter your email address, so you will recieve updates directly to your inbox.
Bon Voyage! XPlorer and crew.

Those of you interested in BI's trip might also be interested
in watching this video:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tASOq...em-subs_digest

CAPE HORN is the WORST Place in The World to go sailing. Just sayin' :D

EDIT: The Transit from Australia/New Zeeland..IE: The Southern Ocean to Cape Horn is also Most Unpleasant. Once you round Cape Horn..(heading East..then North) things are definitely looking better. :)

BTW: Heading WEST around Cape Horn is ..well .... Captain Bligh, of the BOUNTY tried that for months..and finally turned around and went East to get to the Pacific.

BI is neither sailing West or East..he's sailing South...crosswise to the wind and current. I tip my cocktail to him. :D NB

http://icetent.net/
They made it! 4 days and 700 miles!

That's Haulin' Azz....BUT to be expected on a "Beam Reach" in a 67 foot boat. Excellent sailing. :)

Bartender..I'll have another..:D :D NB

Latest update
 

"Attached is a photo showing our mooring at Lautaro Island. Explore is moored with four lines, two from the bow and two the stern onto steel cables looped around rocks on the shore. These were placed by Stephen and Richard T using the Zodiac and a little rock climbing.

The forecast looks good and so tomorrow we will head south again aiming for the Antarctic Circle at 67 degrees south. Stay tuned!"

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p...mooring640.jpg

Summer temp: -64 degrees
 

On Thursday, 14 Feb, the current temp at VOSTOK, Antarctica is -64 degrees F (http://classic.wunderground.com/cgi-...:00000.1.89606). And it's snowing. Friday's forecast high is 44 degrees below zero.

So yeah, summer is the ideal time to visit Antarctica.

My question is why would he want to go there ANY time of year! I would die if I had to go there!

Why is'nt all the water frozen at that temp.?

Many reasons. Antarctica is a continent, and like any continent, geography, wind patterns, actual location, and bodies of water all contribute to the local climates. Vostok, for example, in in the interior, and is 11,444 ft above sea level. Butler Island, Antarctica, (http://classic.wunderground.com/glob...ons/89266.html) is 6 degrees further North, and is expecting a high temperature of +25 degrees F, and 1/2 foot of snow overnight.

Bite me
 

Follow Bear Islanders Antarctic adventures here. :D NB

http://icetent.net/

I'm home again safe and sound. Thanks for all the interest.

I did have a couple of interesting experiences. I punched one leg through into a crevasse while climbing Mt. Hovgaard, no big deal really. However I was driving a small zodiac while visiting an iceberg graveyard when a leopard seal, probably about 1,000 pounds, chased us for a couple of miles. Except for killer whales leopard seals are at the top of the food chain down south. We winch the zodiac out of the water when not in use because they love to punch holes in rubber boats. Perhaps you have seen the picture of one trying to bite through our shore lines.

Good thing we don't have them on Winni.

How Many voyages a year does Xplore take in Antartica?
 

Does she stay all year long or leave in the fall for warmer climes?

IG

Xplore usually makes two or three trips to Antarctica each year.

Xplore will go north into the Pacific to French Polynesia and spend the summer around Pitcairn Island. Pitcairn was made famous by the mutiny on the HMS Bounty.

Glad you are home safe and sound, BI and thank you for allowing us to enjoy your fantastic adventure along with you. I loved reading the updates and the photos were terrific! Beside space and Winni, where are you going next?

Thanks Bear Islander for the daily e-mail on your trip to Antarctica. We looked forward to then daily update. We'll be looking forward to reports on your trip into space.

Same here, it was interesting to read about your adventures. Especially the Leopard seal and when the icebergs were blocking you in.

I will probably ride the centrifuge to six gravities and go on a Zero-G flight in the coming months. And possibly ski to the north pole in a year.