From the 1993/94 Orient Lines Marco Polo brochure...
Cape Adare and Cape Hallet
These two capes at the tip of Victoria Land are unforgettably beautiful.
Against the spectacular backdrop of Antarctica's highest mountain range,
we'll find immense penguin rookeries and, at Cape Adare, the hut built by
Borchgrewink during his expedition in 1899. Constructed in Norwegian style
without fastenings, it is still in excellent condition.
From the 1994 Orient Lines Grand Antarctic Circumnavigation brochure...
Cape Hallett
Via the Edisto Inlet, the Marco Polo slowly approaches Cape Hallett with some
of the most magnificent scenery in the Ross Sea region. Mountainous terrain,
shrouded in ice, reflects sun onto drifting icebergs on all sides. The waters
of this area are completely still and become a mirror that multiplies the
extraordinary vision. The only remaining sign of life at Cape Hallett is a
small building left as a reminder of the tiny base that once was here.
Wildlife has taken back the site and penguins are now the only residents.
Cape Adare
The approach to Cape Adare is via Robertson Bay and the black, pebble-covered
beach is home to one of the largest colonies of Adelies in the Ross Sea.
During breeding season, almost a quarter of a million nesting pairs inhabit
the huge expanse of beach and waves of penguins porpoise among the ice floes
and traverse the currents as they travel to and from the rookery.
But here there is also another important historic site. The first permanent
structure on the continent was built for an 1899 Antarctic expedition.
Ongoing conservation work has restored the isolated and snow-damaged hut of
the Borchgrevink expedition which now stands as a silent memorial on the vast
beach. Nicolai Hansen, the first human to be buried in Antarctica, died
during the expedition and re- quested to be buried high atop the ridge
overlooking Cape Adare and the sea. It is said that Hansen, knowing he was
dying, spent many hours atop the cliff looking out towards the empty horizon.
His gravesite, extremely difficult to access, is marked by a small cross.
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