Some Antarctic Basics...

Participant Guide 2010-1012 

Join three young scientists on a trip to the West Antarctic Ice Sheet.

Nathaniel B. Palmer

Life onboard RVIB Nathaniel B. Palmer

Bunk (NBP)

Mess Hall (NBP)

Living arrangements on the Nathaniel B. Palmer (NBP) are comfortable, and consist of two bunks, a head and a shower. All cabins are equipped with a TV/VCR, stereo, telephone and a LAN jack for connection to the network. This network access includes the ability to connect to the ship's primary data acquisition computer system for viewing and logging data. With the exception of the Chief Scientist cabin on the 03, most grantee and all RPSC berthing is on the 01 Deck, which is on the same level as the Sauna and Gym. Laundry facilities are provided on each level (Source: www.usap.gov). 

Lounge (NBP) 

Workout Area (NBP)

The Lounge is open 24 hours a day for everyone's use and is stocked with more than 150 movies and books but who's got the time to watch movies on board of a research vessel?

The Workout Room is equipped for both weight and endurance training as if the  hydrocasts are not enough! A universal weight machine, treadmill, rowing machine and exercise bike occupy the weight room for all those who want to stay 'active' and 'fit'.

Punta Arenas - our port of departure

Punta Arenas is a port city in the extreme south of Chile. The city has a good infrastructure, in particular an abundance of shops, such as supermarkets, pharmacies and hiking gear shops. 

Punta Arenas (literally in Spanish: "Sands Point" although real English speakers might know this as "Sandy Point") is the largest settlement on the Strait of Magellan and the capital of Chile's Magallanes y Antártica Region. It has a population of 120,000 (2002).

It is on Brunswick Peninsula, 1418 km from the coast of Antarctica.(Source: www.wikitravel.org)

Prelude to the trip

A group of researchers from continental US will travel to Puntas Arenas (PA), Chile to participate in a scientific cruise (Processes Regulating Iron Supply at the Mesoscale, Ross Sea - PRISM-RS). We will be boarding Nathaniel B. Palmer on December 23, 2011 and leave PA the next day to start an adventurous albeit rough trip across the Drake Passage to our destination - the Ross Sea. This swath of the ocean is home to the world's fastest and largest deep current (Antarctic Circumpolar Current - ACC) which transports some 130 million cubic meters of water through the passage! This challenging but by all means not impassable body of water should be a lot of fun to cruise over and will test every cruise member's seaworthiness. Stay tuned - more to come!