May 26 am

Allison Drake (left), Dave Carlson and Courtney Zimmer crossing the ancient beach surface on their way to climb the peak in the background. Route is up the to the saddle on the left and then up the skyline ridge.

Photo shows the first zodiac headed for the landing beach. The landing site is just out of the frame to the left and the ancient beach is the flat area directly above the apparently vertical white wall at the left of the picture. This wall is actually a steep stony slope that is covered with a snowdrift.

Friday, 63 58 S, 57 40 W
Cloudy, 32 F & no wind.

Spent the afternoon ashore in Croft Bay on James Ross Island. Inflatable zodiac rafts took us from the ship to a small ice covered beach below a large hill composed of subglacially erupted volcanic rock. A lead of open water led from the ship partway to shore and then the zodiacs broke a channel to the beach. No seals or penguins were on shore to greet us. They have probably moved further north for the winter.

After landing we climbed up a steep face to a level area above. This flat area would have been an ancient beach which existed at sea level for a time after the overlying ice had retreated. Without the weight of the overlying ice, the land has slowly risen, raising this old beach to a new position well above current sealevel.

Additional photos on next couple of letters.

Cheers,

Dave




		May 26, 2000, am On shore Allison Drake (left), Dave Carlson and Courtney Zimmer crossing the ancient beach surface on their way to climb the peak in the background. Route is up the to the saddle on the left and then up the skyline ridge. Photo shows the first zodiac headed for the landing beach. The landing site is just out of the frame to the left and the ancient beach is the flat area directly above the apparently vertical white wall at the left of the picture. This wall is actually a steep stony slope that is covered with a snowdrift. Friday, 63 58 S, 57 40 W Cloudy, 32 F & no wind. Spent the afternoon ashore in Croft Bay on James Ross Island. Inflatable zodiac rafts took us from the ship to a small ice covered beach below a large hill composed of subglacially erupted volcanic rock. A lead of open water led from the ship partway to shore and then the zodiacs broke a channel to the beach. No seals or penguins were on shore to greet us. They have probably moved further north for the winter. After landing we climbed up a steep face to a level area above. This flat area would have been an ancient beach which existed at sea level for a time after the overlying ice had retreated. Without the weight of the overlying ice, the land has slowly risen, raising this old beach to a new position well above current sealevel. Additional photos on next couple of letters. Cheers, Dave tewksbda@nbp.polar.or g <<May 25 pm * May 26 pm >>

On shore