This afternoon some of us hiked from Leith whaling station over tussocked Hills and shale slopes to Stromness whaling station. Seals hiding in the tussocks were a threat. Glorious weather, great views.
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We hit a lovely strip of beach beneath towering cliffs and glaciers on Elephant Island - penguins, seals and sealions galore. Sadly Shackelton missed this! #ShackeltonFootsteps

Plan was then to zodiac in to Cape Rosa where the James Caird first landed 16 day trip from Elephant Is. Here they feasted on albatross before seeking better shelter at Pegetty Bluff. Sadly worsening weather prevented us from visiting this tiny cove.

More photos from Pegetty Bluff.
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Lunch at Possession Bay, named by Captain Cook when he claimed South Georgia for Britain in 1775. Surrounded by glaciers and suddenly the weather has turned. Wind at 50 knots - it's a whiteout. So now headed to Fortuna Bay looking for calmer waters.

Zodiac cruise of Prince Olaf Harbour, once a major whaling station, now home to lots of elephant seals, clustered around the shore - the bull and his harem and lots of pups.
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As we ate lunch (ravenous after trip to penguin rookery at St Andrews Bay) sailed to Godthul for zodiac trip to Rookery Point (gentoos, albatrosses, terns). Back via Cobblers Cove (blocked by an iceberg). Currently en route to Cumberland Bay. #ShackeltonFootsteps

Photos from St Andrews Bay, South Georgia Island #ShackeltonFootsteps

Then on round Cape Valentine (where Shackelton first landed) to Cape Wild where 22 men waited for rescue after Shackelton set off in the James Caird for South Georgia. Strikingly beautiful in sunshine but so inhospitable. #ShackeltonFootsteps

In late afternoon, on our 3rd zodiac trip of the day, finally got to land on what is left of tiny beach where 22 men lived for months under shelter of 2 rowboats waiting for rescue. Plenty of penguins & seals to eat. There's a bust of Chilean captain who rescued them. #ShackeltonFootsteps

It was too rough to land on Penguin Island - a distinctive extinct volcano - so a zodiac tour. Spectacular icebergs, penguins, sea lions, cormorants, petrels. Four fin whales sighted earlier. So another great day #ShackeltonFootsteps

After lunch we sailed to Herbert Sound looking for fast ice for a sea ice landing. Exciting! Definitely #ShackeltonFootsteps

And just a few more photos from a great day of Antarctic experiences
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Hike into Laguna Esmerelda - rain threatened but we were lucky. Imteresting to see lots of damage to wetlands from imported beavers.