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A great day of scenery passed by the ship yesterday with two bergs that were simply enormous. The largest of these was at least 5 nm long as we steamed right down its length. The volunteer ice berg observers collecting data as we go were challenged trying to measure it! We sailed through many areas where the sea ice is just starting to form. It's amazing to see the water in an almost gelatinous form as the early stages of sea ice, known aptly as grease ice, covers the surface. We were in pack ice most of the day with the odd area of open water. The officers driving the ship are looking constantly for clearer water, often indicated by "water sky". This is where the open water (ice free) areas reflect onto the underside of the clouds in a darker colour than the brighter and lighter reflection of ice. So where possible we steer for this darker sky. In the late evening a team (perhaps a conglomerate) of geologists turned whale spotters spent some time on the bridge and were rewarded with a small pod of what may have been humpbacks and a closer encounter with some Minke Whales. During the night we continued West into heavier ice and had to reverse our track a few times due to its thickness. This morning the ice cover is total and we are breaking through it leaving a track of open water in our wake. Seals and penguins are on the ice, perhaps grateful of some open areas created by the ship. The landscape is bleak and stark but still very beautiful with bergs locked in the sea ice rising out of the ice every few miles. We are now heading for a point some 60nm North of Mawson where we hope we may be able to commence flying to the station. We will also use our helicopters to look for leads through the ice to get as close as we can. With luck we will have some mail, food and passengers ashore at Mawson this evening. Watch this space. Yours Aye Robb and Simon
Map
A map showing Australia and Antarctica. The map shows the journey of one voyage that has occured in the season, with each route highlighted in a distinct colour.