Writer and adventurer Jon Bowermaster has returned to the Antarctic and is now sending dispatches from the seventh continent. He's only been back a few days, but is already hard at work exploring the region and observing the impact of global climate change on the continent.
The first few posts, and all future messages, can be found on his Dispatches page. The first dispatch was sent last Thursday when he heard news about the MV Ushuaia running aground, and he followed that up the next day with some more news on the incident.
By Saturday however, Jon was in his trusty Zodiac inflatable boat, and zipping around the Grand Didier Channel. He reports that the region has changed fairly dramatically since the last time he was there about 11 months ago. He notes that the ice pack isn't nearly as massive as it was earlier this year, and that the region is nearly ice free already, with open water allowing access to places that were inaccessible by kayak on his last visit.
Yesterday's dispatch is a nice, informative read on the Ukrainian research station on Vernadsky island, off the coast of Argentina. The place has been a frequent stop for Jon and his crew in recent visits, and the station continues to monitor the ozone layer and changing temperatures in the region. Today's thoughtful post examines the sites and sounds of the incredibly beautiful landscapes that make up Antarctica.
Over the course of the next month or so, Jon and his team will be exploring the Antarctic Peninsula, where they have already encountered hurricane force winds in excess of 100 mph and the first tiny penguin hatchlings of the season. From there, they'll move on to South Georgia and the Falkland Islands. Expect more great dispatches and photos in the days ahead.
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