Log Entry No 12 - 9th Jan 08. (Discoverer)

FROM THE CAPTAINS CABIN

Whilst the Geological Party have been across on Anvers Island, and the Mountain Party have been recovering to Waddington Bay, we, the yachties, have been enjoying a little mountaineering of our own: it doesn’t seem to be too difficult! Here’s Doc’s report:

FROM THE DOCTORS’ SURGERY!

Fear not Mums, the expedition is in rude health and my services are so redundant that I have decided to turn my hand to writing. For the past 24 hourts we’ve had glorious weather. In addition to their heroic mountaineering efforts (see below) the yacht party visited the Antarctic heritage site at Port Lockroy, the first scientific base in the Antarctic, and have entertained the custodians aboard our humble abode.

Fine British subjects at Port Lockroy.

YACHT PARTY

All now hardened Cape Horners, the Yachties (Andy, Meryon, Doc, Sam, James, Rob D and Jamie) were looking for something a bit more challenging. They ascended nearby Jabet Peak , 545 metres ASL (Above Sailing Level). Although not quite the proverbial fish out of water, there were some difficulties converting to land-lubber status, though not from Skipper Andy of the Cambridgeshire Serac Climbing Club

Jabet Peak from Discoverer.

The first rope (Meryon, Sam and Jamie) set off on Sunday afternoon and soon realised that this was not going to be the usual post Sunday lunch stroll. Although wet snow impeded progress, they pushed on to the summit following our very-own haribo-munching reveille-dodging Rifleman. Our heros’ glory was short lived however, when his natural grace abandoned him on the ski decent. 3 hours later they were back safely exhilarated by their first Antarctic peak.

Jamie on the summit of Jabet.

The Second rope, (James, Doc, Rob D and Andy) launched their attempt in the early hours of Monday morning. Sea ice hampered their efforts to get ashore but their early start paid dividends later when they encountered perfect snow conditions. Once again, the views were amazing and after a quick cup of filter coffee (you can take the Yachtie off the Yacht…) a much more graceful decent was achieved than previously witnessed.

James, cloud watching.

Meanwhile back on the yacht, we were having a little trouble with the mains charging system. This means that we have to run the generator each day to charge our batteries with all the unwelcome heating, hot water and charging of personal equipment that that entails. On any expedition there are heroes and villains, and our villain this week is Rob D who, with blatant disregard for the Antarctic Treaty, allowed his camera to fall into the ‘oggin.