Squeaking by some large icebergs at the end of the Lemaire Channel
Looking back on the Lemaire Channel, it seems almost impossible that we got the ship through there. Our captain is certainly to be congratulated on his skill in avoiding all of the large icebergs that were collecting toward the southern end of the channel.
Looking back at the end of the Lemaire Channel
Hovgaard Island seems quite low, at least near the landing area. There are very large rocks there, and Lars-Eric has told us that the landing side isn't rocky, but made of rock (e.g., the rocks are very big and smooth). We should be able to see a group of Elephant Seals here, which we won't be likely to see much of elsewhere on this trip.
The water and winds are very calm right now, which is fortunate because it means we can stay here long enough to land. Also fortunately, the ice, which we encountered a great deal of at the northern end of the channel, is almost entirely absent here.