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Base Camp for Endurance Kayak
CLICK HERE for Base Camp for Endurance Kayak Film
The clip shows the proposed location of Base Camp for the ENDURANCE KAYAK Expedition.
As you can see, the location is fairly barren. But, maybe you expected to see more snow and ice in Antarctica? Antarctica is actually the driest continent on Earth and this area is especially dry, lying in the rain shadow of the Trinity Peninsula.
At the top of the picture you can see the permanent ice cap on the island as it rises to the highest point, Mount Haddington, roughly in the middle of the island at 5000ft. In the foreground is Herbert Sound which is protected by the island from the ice in the Weddell sea and therefore will allow HMS ENDURANCE good access close into the Island.
The raised beach area roughly in the middle is where we expect to set up camp. Quite dusty and rocky, but dry underfoot and flat. The glacier melt from the icecap behind provides a source of fresh water which will save a lot of time collecting and melting ice. This is where we will spend our first 3-4 days at least with final preparations and waiting if the weather is poor.
For those of you wanting more snow and ice; never fear. As soon as we exit Herbert Sound, sea ice will be everywhere and will present a real challenge at the choke points in the channels. In addition, the snow and ice on the island steadily builds up towards the SW side so that for large sections it is impossible to land because of the ice cliffs. We don’t want it to be too easy do we!
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