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2000 Antarctic Peninsula Climb and Ski/Snowboard Expedition 2000 Antarctic Peninsula Climb and Ski/Snowboard Expedition 2000 Antarctic Peninsula Climb and Ski/Snowboard Expedition
2000 Antarctic Peninsula Climb and Ski/Snowboard Expedition 2000 Antarctic Peninsula Climb and Ski/Snowboard Expedition
2000 Antarctic Peninsula Climb and Ski/Snowboard Expedition 2000 Antarctic Peninsula Climb and Ski/Snowboard Expedition
2000 Antarctic Peninsula Climb and Ski/Snowboard Expedition





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Expedition Dispatches
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The Last Best Place
Thursday, February 24, 2000


Kristoffer
Erickson
This is the first morning since leaving Ushuaia that the wonderful beauty of simple green grass rolling on the hills has been visible in the distance. We awoke to the smoothest and fastest crossing of the Drake Passage any of our crew could remember. The sun was brightly shining out of my east port window, the infamous Cape Horn specked the horizon as jagged pinnacles out of the ocean, and that green grass in strips along the cliffs falling to the sea. In a land of snow and ice, it sometimes is the simplest things you really miss. Antarctica isn't always a blanket of snow and ice, but for our voyage only a small amount of time spent was on anything but this white wilderness — so it became only second nature to think in a monochromatic pallet. Color does wonders to emotion.

When we left Ushuaia and started down this same channel on our way south, I sat in the dark watching the lighthouse off the Horn radiate across the ocean. I was thinking to myself about what expectations I had for the trip, how sick I was going to feel on the boat, what the weather would be like, and, most important, how our group would work together. All issues you can dwell on for more time than you care to, if you let them weigh on you conscience. Now returning, I'm filled with joy having spent a few weeks in by far one the best lands in the world. We skied thousands of vertical feet, summitted unclimbed mountains, saw nature's most spectacular creatures of this southern land, and never once had a conflict with anyone.

Sometimes the conditions weren't the best, we had rain on a lot of the days and snow occasionally, but someone always seemed to motivate and off on another adventure we would be for the day. I guess that's just the way it works with a group of guys like this — kudos gents!

A trip like this wouldn't have been possible without the kind and most generous support of ANI, Marine Expeditions, all those who helped to provide us with the last minute gear and goodies we needed, and last but not least the great staff of the Akademik Shuleykin.

If anyone ever asks you if you'd be interested in visiting this amazing land, I wouldn't even give them a chance to question your decision on going along. Being from Montana, it's hard to call Antarctica the "The Last Best Place," but this is truly the land of golden opportunities and it's only a short journey — don't miss the boat if you get the chance.

Kristoffer Erickson, MountainZone.com Correspondent

EXPEDITION DISPATCHES


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