(Polar Star sailing out of Paradise Bay)

New Photos updated at 11:30 am See below...

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EXPEDITION UPDATE:
At Sea, The Drake Passage
Friday, Dec. 29

Posted at 9:42 am EST
by Students on Ice Headquarters

Geoff Green wrote early this morning with this update:

"We are presently on track to arrive to Cape Horn today around 6:30pm. The seas got a bit rougher last night, but conditions are improving this morning. The students have been great about making the extra effort to attend all the workshops, lectures, briefings, etc. Today they will be working on their own Youth Commitments, and Expedition Impressions documents, as well as a Letter to Self which we will mail to them one year from now. Of course, they are also going to be packing and getting ready to begin their homeward journeys, as today is the final full day on the Polar Star.

Spirits are high, and our group has really bonded. Tonight will be a great celebration of our Antarctic Expedition together."

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Student Journals

Posted by Taylor Ankrom

Hey everyone! We have done so much. We’ve been to a bunch of the islands and got to touch the Antarctic continent. This has been a very humbling trip so far because every thing is so peaceful and undisturbed. If you sit in the middle of the ice and snow, and stay quiet as the land, wildlife will come up to you and then go on their way.

Sitting down and soaking it in has been the best thing I have ever done.

I wish all of you could be here to share this wonder trip of heart mind and soul. I wish you all the best.  

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(Chas in the Observation Lounge)

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Posted by Daniel Collins

Hey everyone! We have begun our return trip through the Drake Passage. Today and tomorrow are mostly filled with lectures, group discussions, and recaps. I didn’t feel like myself this morning, and now I’m drowsy, exhausted, and slightly nauseous. Luckily, it’s not seasickness, but it seems like everyone is drugged out or seasick so it’s very quiet today. I think I may go take a nap to try and ward off anything I could be feeling. So far, we have had a presentation by Bill about Operation: Migration and his experience with the birds. Then, we just finished small group lectures. I went and learned about glaciology and climate change presented by Joe. I can’t wait to get home, but I’m dreading the flying and the layovers.

I want my family to know that I want them to read my journals when I get home and that I should be feeling better, but I will need time to do some homework because I can’t finish it all here. Bye!

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(Karen on the computer this morning)

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Posted by Denisse Degadillo  

Wow!  Today is our last day at Antarctica. I am going to miss it so much here. I just finished coming from outside because we spotted a Minke whale. How fascinating!! There are so many things I am going to miss from this spectacular breathtaking environment. I am going to miss the icebergs, the ocean, the wind, the temperature, the animals, even the penguin’s smelly waste, the mountains, the way it makes me feel, and the waves the ocean create.

Today we went to Paradise Bay. It was one of my favourite spots. We climbed another mountain, and slid down another slippery slope, which is always fun. When I reached the top of the mountain I felt like I had accomplished something big because it is not as easy as one would think. Standing on top of the mountain and looking down made me feel so insignificant to my surroundings. We are so small compared to Mother Nature, and we have so little control. I would also like to mention when we were on the zodiac with Eric we saw an iceberg calving. That was so amazing to have that moment to experience and also to hear the sound effects that occurred. Along with that, one of my most favourite things to do is remain in silence for a moment to try to capture what we are viewing. When I do this, many thoughts come in my head. These are thoughts and questions to which I have do not yet have answers. I would like to end this journal with a saying: “I would take with me only memories and nothing else, and leave footprints left behind.” Also, I would like to say that I miss my sisters so much, Gianna and Massiel, and I didn’t forget you, Randy, and I also miss my parents and Abuela. I love you guys so much.  

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Posted by Livio Jimenez

It’s the last day of landings, but the exploring has not really ended. Everyday I learn something new. Whether it’s about myself or nature, I am being enlightened still. As I was standing on the top of a hill today looking down to the water in silence, I realized that maybe I was here for a reason. Maybe I developed a love for photography and met a photographer the day before my flight to Miami for a reason. I think I believe in fate. I can honestly say that. I believe in facts and science, but I also believe in fate.

I think I am completely changed by this expedition. One word to describe this expedition would be simply WOW!!!!

I am going to miss this surreal world but not forever because I am coming back.

I am going to miss the people here and their encouragement.

I am going to miss the smells, sound, color, and feel of nature that heightened all my senses and helped me appreciate it.

I think I am going to miss discovering my self in nature most of all.

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(Some down time on the Drake Passage)

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Posted by Mariella Paulino

Howdy everyone!! Well, before I start I want to say Merry Late Christmas to my mom whose a gazillion miles away. I also want to say hi to my little sister Ileana.  I wish you guys a merry xmass. Don’t miss me too much! And happy New Year!!!

Every morning I wake up and wonder: “Where the heck am I?” Followed by a “WOW!” and a “Is this really happening?”  I can’t help but question the reality of it all.  It seems too much like being in a Disney’s 3-D Winter Wonderland.  I feel extremely happy here.  I feel a sense of community here that I have never felt before.  The friends I am making seem to be, as Geoff had previously mentioned “friends that will last a lifetime.”  I will miss all of them.

I have to admit that the people are not the only things I will miss.  I will even miss the whooshing toilet and the counter clockwise toilets on the ship (in all seriousness!) I really wish that the expedition would have lasted just a bit longer. I feel a sense of community here, a sense of utopian happiness that I have not felt anywhere else.  I feel like this opportunity has awakened something within me.  Not even an emotion, but rather a fire, a light, an ambition.

I have to say that this whole expedition has been a learning experience from me.  The daily lectures and workshops introduced me to a variety of sources and means of information that really enriched my experiences.  Anyone can show me a type of penguin, seal, or whale, and I will be able to identify it and imitate what sound it makes.  I also have learned a lot about icebergs and how they are formed.  Personally, I have to say that I’m still awestruck at the magnificent pieces of architecture nature can create.  It still surprises me how beautifully carved they are.  Honestly, I can’t imagine those icebergs being created without some sort of manmade tool, but hey I’ve learned my lesson: Nature is full of surprises.

Nature has taught me a valuable lesson that I believe is worth repeating.  Unless each one of us does something to save our planet, others will be able to destroy it.  Because I have seen firsthand the destruction of global warming as I watched little icebergs floating around Antarctica and the beauty whose mere existence is in danger of being destroyed as a result of ignorance. I am forever changed and I WILL do something to ensure that this doesn’t happen.

The whole expedition has made me feel more like a leader, a world-changer, one who dares to dream and achieve the impossible.  One who wants to be the change they want to see in the world.  For all I know, I really plan to be leader in many projects directed toward saving and protecting our planet once I go back home.  Who knows, I think I’ll just start one of my own.  Guys, just a warning, just don’t be surprised when you see me on the cover of Times Magazine listed as the most powerful woman on earth 30-40 years from now.  This whole expedition has taught me one thing… the world is mine, for me to destroy or protect -- hmm... I think I like the latter one more.  It’s our only home anyway.

Live
Laugh
Love
Hug a tree!

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(Parker sleeps off the Drake Passage)

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Stay tuned for more!