Prince Gustav Channel
After having parked in the ice overnight, we awoke to find the National Geographic Explorer still locked in the ice. It’s a surreal experience to step off the ship directly onto the pack ice. The ice was firm and safe allowing us to explore as far as a mile from the ship. Crabeater seals dotted the frozen landscape while groups of curious Adelie penguins came by to see what all the activity was about.
Before returning to the ship nearly a dozen hardy explorers took the true polar plunge, making the leap into the frigid water along the ice edge. Were these folks in their right minds walking across the ice in their robes? Or has the polar fever gotten the best of them? One may never know what inspires the human soul.
After backing out of the ice, Captain Skog again pushed the ship into the ice, this time with the ship’s Video Chronicler still on the ice to capture the sights and sounds of breaking ice.
Finally pulling away from the ice one last time, we set a northward course towards tomorrow’s adventure.
