Bouncing through the Drake Passage
Posted: March 12th, 2010 | Author: Emily Brown | Filed under: Antarctica | Tags: Antarctica | 5 Comments »Hi Friends,
We’re presently bouncing along in what we all think are enormous waves through the Drake Passage. Listening to the crew however, they tell us this is “nothing”. . .not even as bad as “normal.” Normal must be pretty exciting. Right now as I look out the portal window in my cabin the boat is going up and down about 15 to 20 feet, maybe more, from the ocean at times.
As I look out into the ocean as far as I can see into a fog layer, it looks so angry. The waves today are not coming from one direction – it’s more like these huge swells just appear out of no where and we ride up over them.
We’ve been listening to lectures on whales, seals, penguins, and ice. I thought I’d list a couple of the surprising statistics that I’ve picked up so far:
Antarctic accounts for 10 percent of the Earth’s land surface. In summer it is roughly twice the size of Australia and 1 and a half times the size of the USA. In the winter, the size of the continent doubles.
Ninety-nine percent of Antarctica is covered in an icecap. That ice cap is more than three miles deep at parts and the Antarctic icecap contains over 70 percent of the earth’s fresh water supply. If it melted, the sea level around the world would rise
by 200 feet.
Antarctica is the highest, driest, coldest, windiest continent on earth.
I think we are all a little melancholy right now as we leave Antarctica. It is unlikely that we’ll ever be back here. . .not impossible, I suppose, but certainly unlikely. I think we’ve done a pretty good job on spreading the word about neurofibromatosis while we were here on board the ship. Thom let me address all the participants during the post race meeting, and he has told me he’d find time to show our NF Endurance video at the final meeting.
I’ve gotten reports from several of our runners that this blog is getting some good readership…I thank you all for following along with us on this adventure.
Cheers,
Steve
And a note from Jose…
Dear Jill,
Happy Anniversary! Thanks for 21 great years.
Love,
Jose
God Bless you all. Have a safe trip home! I have truly enjoyed following this blog!
Thank you Steve for your very interesting blog that gave me the opportunity to learn a lot about Antartica and NF. Congratulations to everyone and good luck for your future challenges.
With the conditions, it sounds like some motion sickness meds are in order – watch out for the shiny silver dog!!
I have enjoyed following your blog. I have looked at some of your points of interest on Google Earth and it very fascinating. Even the waves show up. Have a safe trip home. Can’t wait to see the pics.
Just a note to let all of you know HOW MUCH I have enjoyed reading your posts! It is so inspiring to see what all of you have accomplished. God Bless and may you all return to us safely!