Hello all!

This post is about visiting the coolest (ha) place on earth, and a place I hope more than anything to be able to set foot in once again. The largest thanks in the world go to Lindblad Expeditions, the Our World-Underwater Scholarship Society®, and the entire crew of the National Geographic Explorer for reinventing what it means to be excited about travel and giving me this chance. It’s always hard to convey my appreciation, but today it’s even harder.

Please enjoy!

-Chris

Another Day, Another Continent

The problem with visiting Antarctica is that I’ll never have another New Year’s resolution for the rest of my life.

Hey Chris, what do you hope will happen this year?

That I go to Antarctica.

What about next year?

That I go to Antarctica.

Really, it’s that good- Antarctica can be a lot to take in for anyone.

Lindblad Expeditions, in partnership with National Geographic, offers extraordinary adventures the whole world over. But one place in particular always stood out to me- Antarctica. And thanks to the INCREDIBLE kindness and generosity of the Lindblad Expeditions team (and again, in addition to the equally wonderful and experienced staff of the National Geographic Explorer) I was able to join them on a life-changing voyage to the great white wilderness.

Before leaving, my biggest concern was luggage. One checked bag? To Antarctica? I honestly thought it was a misprint. Then again, they were claiming a five-star guest experience in a ship capable of slicing through frozen ocean and towering waves alike. As it turns out, not only can you survive in Antarctica with a single bag- you can do it with an optional massage service. Who knew?

THE best luggage I’ve ever owned.
This Fourth Element Manta flight bag and the Remora travel bag it contains have been tested in every environment and physical stress imaginable, yet have emerged *unscathed*. And the ThinkTank backpack from Reef Photo and Video just survived three weeks in the field in Antarctica, but doubles as my professional bag! I’m in awe. Thanks guys for the best of the best!

But here’s the catch: if you want that massage, you better earn it. Because for all the creature comforts provided, Lindblad Expeditions is no cruise- and Antarctica is no island getaway. If you’re not willing to get at least a little cold, wet, and dirty then I’d recommend another operator.

Or you could get a lot of wet, and a lot of cold. Your choice. (Photo: the amazing David Cothran)

My expedition was a three-week exploration of the Falkland Islands, South Georgia, and the Antarctic peninsula. The ship is gorgeous, the zodiacs adventurous, and the wildlife splendorous. You might notice I’ll run out of positive adjectives soon because that’s how great it really was. So what’s a normal outing as a guest like aboard the National Geographic Explorer?

And while exploration has much to do with your location, one can never underestimate the importance of the people you share it with.

Peter Hillary (left) and Dr. Joe MacInnis (right), two world-famous explorers share a moment on the bow in Antarctica. Thanks to both for teaching me so much and sharing their stories!

Sharing a cold perch with National Geographic photographer Stephen Alvarez and Lindblad naturalist Eric Guth. The perfect shot is worth the numb fingers.

Some of the best crew in the world, with a special surprise; Paul and Katie to the right of me got engaged!

Robert, naturalist and expedition diver, catches a drone flown by Ian Strachan who was capturing some amazing aerial footage of South Georgia.

Guess who else got to check out Linblad’s South Georgia and Falkland expedition? Australasian Rolex Scholar, Maya Santangelo! This was our 10-second visit as we traded places in Southern Argentina.

I’m especially lucky that Paul North (Undersea Specialist) and Robert Alexander (Naturalist and Expedition Diver) were on board for this expedition. I was able to join them in Antarctica on an undersea ROV survey, even piloting it myself, and learned a lot about the science and exploration conducted in these often virgin seabeds. Every dive they do, and every ROV they drop, there’s a strong possibility that they’re the first human eyes to see it; and once they’ve seen it, they bring it back on video for all of the guests! How cool is that?

Paul North is also the creator of the podcast and non-profit, Meet the Ocean– an AMAZING series that he’s just getting off the ground and is now available on iTunes for free! It features everything: wildlife facts, diving experiences, and interviews from some of the biggest names in ocean conservation. (no seriously- we’re talking world famous photographers, scientists, and explorers here!)

I even got a short interview myself on hyperbaric medicine, and my experience snorkeling in Antarctica. Oh, did I mention I went snorkeling?

(Photos by Paul North)

It’s so cold that using the snorkel is less of a choice, and more of a “I think it’s frozen to my face” decision.

Big thanks to DUI Drysuits whose hood, dry gloves and suit kept me amazingly comfortable and dry, and to my Fourth Element arctic expedition undergarments which through some sort of black magic actually kept me totally warm. Thanks guys!

And if that isn’t enough fun, I also went running with Peter Hillary (and later his son George) on Antarctic pack ice. On Thanksgiving day. For 8 kilometers.

Potentially, the first Antarctic (or at least Antarctic sea-ice) Turkey Trot?

Now South Georgia in one word is alive. In three words, very very alive. Aside from a few small seasonal scientists and caretakers that call the island home, this small patch of rock is inhabited by some of the most untouched populations of local fauna the world knows today. The sheer scale and biodiversity that such a harsh climate supports almost defies logic, as you gaze upon millions- yes millions- of penguins between both glaciers and waterfalls alike.

And then, feeling like you’ve got a handle on what “remote” and “untouched” feels like, you arrive in Antarctica.

Yes, you can even go sledding in Antarctica. No sled required.

And let me tell you- there’s no quicker way to lose all reference of what those words mean than hitting this place. Indescribable comes to mind, but luckily others have had more success:

“If Antarctica were music it would be Mozart. Art, and it would be Michelangelo. Literature, and it would be Shakespeare. And yet it is something even greater; the only place on earth that is still as it should be. May we never tame it.” -Andrew Denton

And untamed it remains.

Thanks to all involved- Lindblad Expeditions, National Geographic, the Our World-Underwater Scholarship Society® and Rolex for once again making dreams reach the realm of possibility. Big thanks to Aqualung, Fourth Element, and especially DUI Drysuits for providing the gear necessary to avoid being frozen like a popsicle. And even more thanks to Paul North and Robert Alexander for taking me even farther off the already unbeaten path, as well as the entire National Geographic Explorer crew for making this learning experience one for the books. Till next time!

-Chris

All photos are in a low resolution format, but can be viewed in full resolution as shared on the Our World-Underwater Scholarship Society facebook page!

Keep scrolling for a gallery of more fun adventure photos.