In the southern archipelago of Auckland Island there is a very large sheltered harbour called Carnley Harbour. It is rich in human history including shipwrecks, treasure hunters, coast watchers, and of course scientific parties. We arrive early morning through the eastern entrance. it is guarded on both sides by dramatic cliffs and rugged, tussock-covered hills.
We have come from Enderby Island. We have travelled about 40 km down the east side of the island. Here is the map again.
Today we can either climb to the South West Cape and visit the mollymawk colony, or zodiac cruise along the coast of Adams Island and through the western harbour. The climb provides magnificent views in all directions over Carnley Harbour. Bill has a wonky knee and says he will zodiac. I am only here once I think, and I have form and my knees work so we go in different directions. This is the hill we will climb.
The tide is in and Judd (our zodiac driver today) is looking at all options.
This is Adams Island in the background. I take a few pics while Judd chooses a spot.
We hop off. That is me who has arms out. I thought it would give me more balance.
A few seals are about.
We land (it is rough) and we wait for everyone on grass above the beach to get away from a few sea lions.
Ollie had a go pro and recorded the sea lions. Thanks for the video Ollie - the finish is interesting!
We start walking. You can just see the ship. Adams Island in front to the right.
And we go up. I think this is pig stuff.
This is to keep the pigs out.
This is to show how thick the grass is.
This is Euan.
This is Rob and Jochen.
This is Mike.
This is Johnny, Tim, Doug and Matthias
Bek.
To show I made it to the top. My jacket is borrowed for this trip from Margot. (Thanks Margot.)
I see some megaflora.
At the top we saw the mollymawk colony. I must have pressed something on my camera - everything went blue. I went to white balance and tried to improve - it didn't work, you get the gist!
Johnny up the top. He is keeping still to get the scenery shot.
Peter, Niall, Annette and Rob.
Alex (leader) finding the path.
Here's a view - Doug looking.
The colony.
Close up.
A blue video.
Then we head down.
On the way down, I see sea lions porpoising in the channel.
We did not go down the same way we had come up - this part was tricky.
I watched the sea in action here.
We had lunch back at the ship with Tracy and Don. Tracy fixed my camera. She also has a Lumix and is super efficient with how she downloads and keeps photos every night. I will have a better system for the Antarctica trip.
In the afternoon we do a zodiac cruise around Musgrave Inlet (refer back to map in Carnley Harbour.) It lies in the centre. The volcanic rocks rest on the basement of coarse-grained biotite granite up to 100 million years old, and this exposes at Granite Point. We cruise to get to the point.
Then we see some granite rocks.
Then we go inside an open top cave and see this. We are with Daniel who loves geology and tells us about them. We all stay pretty silent and just admire the colours.
