Adventure Seekers I ICE
Credit: Andrea Klaussner
One Antarctic Night by
LOLA MÉNDEZ
I went camping for the first time in my life this year, which isn't noteworthy except that I pitched a tent for the first time in Antarctica. Everyone who knows me was shocked to learn of my plans to camp on the ice. I avoid the cold and have lived in a never-ending summer for seven years.
Photo: Courtesy of Lola Méndez
I sailed to the southernmost continent on the world’s first hybrid-batterypowered cruise ship, Hurtigruten Expedition’s MS Roald Amundsen. According to the International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators, approximately 74,401 people visited this remote part of our planet from October 2019 to March 2020. Of the ships that offer an ice camping experience, each is only allowed a maximum of 30 passengers per camping excursion. Getting to camp on the white continent is rare, as weather conditions have to be suitable. Antarctica has been a designated nature reserve since 1991 and campers are required to attend a safety briefing. Expedition guides reviewed protocols, what to pack, and how to use the provided cold-weather camping gear. Campers can’t take anything besides clothing, a bottle of water, and camera gear. On my cruise, over 100 passengers had entered the camping lottery. My cabin number was announced as a winner and, although I was wildly unprepared as ENSEMBLE VAC AT IONS I FAL L 2022 39