During a rare, perfectly still and windless morning, we landed at Jackson Bay, in Admiralty Sound to visit the most remote section of Karukinka Natural Park, a private protected area managed by the Wildlife Conservation Society. At 330 hectares, this area protects some of the southernmost forests, grasslands and peatlands of the planet together with a vast array of wildlife including several endemic bird species and a colony of breeding elephant seals. We hiked through large stands of primeval forest to get to a waterfall that drains the overflow of some alpine glaciers still blanketing the peaks that flank the valley we walked toward.
2/20/2022
Read
National Geographic Resolution
Fortuna Bay and Hercules Bay, South Georgia
National Geographic Resolution arrived to Fortuna Bay early in the morning under a cloud-covered sky. The protection of the bay created a nice relief from the winds. We landed our long hikers shortly after breakfast so they could begin their trek over the headlands to the colony. We then repositioned the ship toward the head of the bay to land the rest of our guests. Fortuna Bay is known as the final leg of Shackleton’s route across the island, and it is home to a large king penguin colony. After we sailed to nearby Hercules Bay, we were treated to conditions calm enough for kayaking and Zodiac cruising. With so much wildlife in the area, guests had some wonderful encounters, especially with the colony of macaroni penguins low on the cliffs of the bay. The ever-fickle weather brought sunshine and light snow flurries, embodying the nature of the island.
