FWIS3

Going to Antarctica via ship.
Getting the ship stuck in the ice.
Thanks, but, no thanks.

http://www.wunderground.com/news/russia ... a-20131225

I'd love to go to Antarctica by ship. Getting stuck in the ice? Maybe not so much.

Isn't that the truth! I guess we are supposed to feel sorry and worried about the stranded people's predicament. I don't. I figure that if you decide to go to one of the most inhospitable places on earth you kind of take your life into your own hands -- and that of Mother Nature. Guess who is more likely to win under those conditions.

geonuc wrote:I'd love to go to Antarctica by ship. Getting stuck in the ice? Maybe not so much.

Yes. Even getting stuck for a bit might be fun.

Too cold to go to Antarctica.
I always wanted to visit Alaska though not sure if that will ever happen.

Yep. I often think I'd love to go to Antarctica. I'd even overwinter at the pole, given half a chance. Stuck in the ice? No problem.

Of course then I realize that if I want to traipse around an ice cap, I can do it without ever leaving the country - just head north. Similar experience, but a lot safer since it's closer to civilization and rescue services are a lot easier to come by if you get into a bad spot.

Meh, people who go exploring the Poles tend not be bothered by little things like getting stuck on an ice pack.

Some actually do it on purpose like this guy

Alone for a year on a yacht in Antarctica:

http://atomvoyages.com/articles/sailor- ... ceman.html

His story goes on to describe a fully seaworthy unbreached vessel sinking in the ice and having to dig it out every day.

Nuts.

I have several friends who have been to Antarcica's research bases. You know, for SCIENCE!

I want to do it someday myself, but I'd want to do it with my theoretical future husband. Part it'd be a good experience to share, part I would want to marry someone who understands why it'd be a good life goal to do it on all seven continents.

I am also actually hoping to make it this summer to Alaska...

Hey, if you do, maybe see if you can hop the border to the Yukon. Just to say you did. Drink a nice cocktail.

Hah well I have three weeks and some change so was thinking of going over to Dawson- biggest problem is just finding a car rental that you can take over the border, as there's a bunch of rules on them and the road isn't sealed.

I loved Alaska and can't wait to go back some time.

Swift wrote:I loved Alaska and can't wait to go back some time.

Very cool- where did you go? (I remember some of Russ's stories back in the day of working up there- something about how he pulled over once to sleep and a moose stuck its head in his car, for example.)

Oh, and I read somewhere that they finally rescued the Antarctic scientists/tourists if anyone was interested.

Alaska was my fiftieth state and I really like the state. We cruised from Vancouver to Seward, then stayed a few days in Anchorage. Drove up to Denali and also eastward towards the Wrangell St Elias park.

One of the best parts was the musk ox place!

http://muskoxfarm.org/

Rommie wrote:

Swift wrote:I loved Alaska and can't wait to go back some time.

Very cool- where did you go? (I remember some of Russ's stories back in the day of working up there- something about how he pulled over once to sleep and a moose stuck its head in his car, for example.)

Oh, and I read somewhere that they finally rescued the Antarctic scientists/tourists if anyone was interested.

Yeah and the crew stayed behind.

Rommie wrote:

Swift wrote:I loved Alaska and can't wait to go back some time.

Very cool- where did you go? (I remember some of Russ's stories back in the day of working up there- something about how he pulled over once to sleep and a moose stuck its head in his car, for example.)

We did a small ship cruise, on a company that unfortunately is no longer in business (Cruise West). We started in Ketchikan, worked our way up the Inside Passage, visiting all the big (and some not so big) tourist spots, and ended in Juneau. From there we continued with the same company, but on land, went by bus up to Anchorage, stayed a day or so there, continued up to Denali, and then took the train from Denali to Fairbanks, and stayed a couple of days in Fairbanks before going home.

I think, if and when I do it again, I would do the small ship cruise again, but I would do the land portion on my own. I would like to spend more time in Denali (we were only there for like a day and a half) and also visit the Kenai Peninsula.