Extra Fun Times

There were a couple other fun diversions on the way down. We watched as the lifeboats were tested (deployed and driven around). Also, we stopped by Frei Base (Chile) to pick up some drums of fuel needed at Palmer.

Spotlights illuminating a snowy night.

---

Frei Base

---

(photos: Nathan Hoople)

Field Camp Put-in, COPA

Two field camp put-ins were planned for this southbound voyage, COPA and Cape Shirreff. COPA is on King George Island, and the group of four will be there monitoring the large penguin colony. This field camp is near Arctowski Base (Poland) in Admiralty Bay.

Cape Shirreff is on Livingston Island and the group of five will be there primarliy studying fur seals. The first put-in went well with COPA, but heavy swell kept us from being able to get Cape Shirreff in. They accomplished that one on the northbound voyage after they dropped us off at Palmer Station.

Both areas are specially managed areas because of the abundance of wildlife and science studies going on there. We had permits to be there opening the camps, and it was special to be there since tour ships are not allowed to visit.

Everything was moved to shore via zodiac; people, personal gear, cargo, fuel, food supplies, etc. My job in the operation was to be a "surfer"- a group of surfers deployed in the first zodiac outfitted with insulated dry suits. Our purpose was to be in the water on the beach guiding the zodiacs onto the rocks and unloading gear to the people carrying the stuff to the huts.

The first wave of surfers loading into the zodiac.

---

Heading to shore.

---

COPA field camp huts on shore.

---

Landed on shore, unloading cargo.

---

Curious Gentoo penguins.

---

Standing on the green lawn at camp, outfitted for the job.

---

(photos: Nathan Hoople)

Starting 2008-09 Deployment

Well, another season at Palmer. I'm looking forward to this deployment since it's a short one- only three months. Don't get me wrong, Palmer Station is a great place to be, just not for seven months.

Alex aboard the L.M. Gould as we depart Punta Arenas, Oct-15 2008. The R/V Nathaniel B. Palmer can be seen parked at the pier. (photo: Nathan Hoople)

I'm looking forward to another fun summer of camping in the backyard, tour visits, a small population (26!), and new people. And I'll be home for ski season in Colorado.

My last memories of Punta Arenas- the historic cemetary and its funky pruned trees. (photos: Nathan Hoople)