Exploring the Falkland Islands, South Georgia, and Antarctica

Antarctica & South Georgia

Wild Fibers editor and publisher, Linda Cortright, has spent the last seventeen years traveling all over the world to better understand the critical role natural fibers play in commerce and culture.

In 2012, Cortright began leading tours, featuring unique opportunities to remote locations, including India’s High Himalayas, The Russian Arctic, The Falkland Islands, Antarctica, Alaska, Swaziland, and South Africa.

“I really encourage people to get out of their comfort zone. That’s where the adventure begins.”

For more information: www.wildfibersmagazine.com

West Point Island The Falklands

In the early 19th century, West Point Island, like many others in The Falklands, was a popular site for slaughtering fur seals for pelts and penguins for oil. Both populations were decimated and sheep farming became the primary commodity.

In 1968, the first cruise ship, owned by Charles Lindblad, visited West Point Island, attracted by its unusually large population of black-browed albatross.

Ultimately putting it near the top of the bucket list for avid birders and casual enthusiasts.

Saunders Island The Falklands

Saunders is in the north-west of The Falkland archipelago. Like West Point Island, the sole family that lives on Saunders are sheep farmers. However, the island boasts colonies of three penguins species: gentoo, Magellanic, and king.

There is a small isthmus in the middle of the island with sandy beaches on either side, allowing for Zodiac landings regard on either side to accommodate the direction of the prevailing wind.

LeftThe striated caracara, also known as a Johnny Rook, is naturally curious and equally deadly. They prey on penguin chicks and newborn lambs, and for years, islanders were paid per beak to help control the population. The program has long since been abandoned.

Opposite pageAfter waiting for a storm with gale force ten winds to pass through, we finally embark on our two-day sail to South Georgia escorted by our first killer whales.

Salisbury Plain South Georgia

How do you describe what it’s like to step ashore amidst a colony of 250,00 king penguins?

You don’t.

King Penguins are an endless source of entertainment.

The fur seal pups, however, are not to be overlooked.

Rough seas prevented us from landing in Stromness, a former whaling station and where Sir Ernest Shackleton famously arrived after his journey from Elephant Island, and knocked on the door of the manager’s home who - like everyone else - presumed Shackleton and his men had been lost at sea.

Prion Island is a restricted site, designed to protect the local nesting population of Wandering Albatross, boasting a wingspan up to twelve feet.

Landing at Grytviken, the only remaining whaling station it is still possible tour (others are off-limits due to health hazards like asbestos), brings to life a rich and regrettable chapter in history.

Standing graveside with Sir Robert Scott’s grandson, Falcon Scott, leading a toast to “The Boss” with a dram of Shackleton whiskey was a deep privilege.

Elephant Island

It was biting cold and gray angry skies during our time at Elephant Island, underscoring how grim the conditions for Shackleton’s men must have been during the months they waited for his return. The bronze statue of Louis Pardo who captained The Yelcho, successfully rescuing the men after three failed attempts.

Leopard seals are relatively common and typically curious by nature.

After visiting every Zodiac, the leopard seal decided it was time for us to leave. We took the hint whereupon he (or she) went and got some take-out and dined in peace.

Mikkelsen Harbor Antarctica

It was biting cold and gray angry skies during our time at Elephant Island, underscoring how grim the conditions for Shackleton’s men must have been during the months they waited for his return. The bronze statue of Louis Pardo who captained The Yelcho, successfully rescuing the men after three failed attempts.

Fournier Bay Antarctica Every landing in Antarctica is varying degrees of magnificent, but Fournier Bay is really the most magnificent of all with clear skies, calm waters, and animals of all descriptions. It is the perfect ending, but it also leaves you aching for more.