Polar Post: Letters from Antarctica
In January and February 2022, I set out on my first research expedition, to East Antarctica aboard the German research icebreaker Polarstern.
To keep my family and friends updated with how it went I sent a series of plain text emails (all I could do with our spotty communications) at a rate of about one per week. When I got back, I added them here, with photos taken at the time.
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Embarking on an Antarctic expedition
Polar post: part 1
The first instalment of regular emails home from Polarstern Expedition 128, my first research cruise.
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Going south: icebergs, whales and albatrosses
Polar post: part 2
Steaming south towards Antarctica, we spot our first icebergs and plenty of whales.
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Arrival: sea ice, seals, and penguins
Polar post: part 3
We arrive at our first working area of expedition PS128, and spot our first penguins and seals.
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A day in the life of an Antarctic marine geologist
Polar post: part 4
Leaving our first working area, and a day in the life of a marine geologist on Polarstern.
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A heli day and ships in the night
Polar post: part 5
We arrive at Molodezhnaya station and drop off the land team by helicopter. Later, we see someone unexpected.
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Surviving a Southern Ocean storm
Polar post: part 6
We weather storm force 10 winds and escape bruised and battered.
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On an empty Soviet Antarctic base
Polar post: part 7
I leave the ship to collect rock samples from near a disused Russian station.
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Southern lights, magic sparkledust, and Capt. Hand-towel
Polar post: part 8
The transit home after our two-month Antarctic expedition: storms, parties, cleaning, writing.