Even the hardiest of explorers might not have considered hiking in Antarctica. The frozen continent is a genuinely alien, inhospitable landscape that is a daunting prospect even for experienced adventurers.
But an Antarctic hiking adventure might be one of the most exciting vacations you ever take. Hiking in Antarctica allows you to venture to the least-explored parts of the continent and explore places no-one else has ever seen. There are no trails, the hiking is rugged and challenging, but the scenery is truly out-of-this-world, like nothing you have ever seen before.
The continent was once extremely tricky, but these days you can arrive in Antarctica by cruise which makes it a far more accessible prospect. Here is how to prepare for hiking in Antarctica.
When is the best time to hike?
One can hike any time of year in
Antarctica, but a lot relies on what one is looking for and what kind of
adventure they want. November month offers the most adventurous time to visit
Antarctica as the polar ice is still breaking up, and one can get an enhanced
chance for wildlife sightings and breathtaking scenery. December to Early
February months is when the temperatures are at their warmest, and one can see
Penguins begin hatching. Mid-February and March is the best time to spot
whales, but weather wise, the temperatures start to drop.
Where are the best hiking locations?
The whole of
Antarctica is full of alien landscapes and otherworldly vistas that you can
only see on foot. Trails are non-existent, and the terrain is treacherous. The
best places to go are the South Georgia Islands and the South Shetland Islands,
where mountainous landscapes meet incredible wildlife. Deception Island is an extremely popular choice for
Antarctic hiking because it boasts an active volcano as well as a remarkable
population of Chinstrap penguins!
What do you need to know?
Hiking in
Antarctica is challenging, and you’ll likely limit yourself to shorter hikes
than you might be used to. It is essential that your group are all reasonably
fit, as the terrain will be extreme, and you’ll be making your own trails. You
also need to think about the cold, which changes the way you have to think
about your trek - you
can’t just pop behind a tree when nature calls, for example![1]
Finally,
heading to the more remote parts of the continent means leaving your ship
behind, and emergency
help can be hard to come by[2] .
What do you need to bring?
Prepping for
an Antarctica hike is hugely important. You’ll need all the usual hiking gear,
plus a whole load of unique
kit[3] solely for surviving in the frozen
wilderness. You’ll need a urine-collection bottle, as no human waste can be
left on Antarctica.
You’ll need sunblock as, despite the cold, the reflected rays of the sun can be
brutal. Standard hiking clothes are fine, as are hiking boots, but you will
want to bring plenty of thick and thin thermal gear as well.
What about the costs?
There are different
variables that influence the costs to explore Antarctica. A lot relies on where
you plan o go, how large the group is, and the quality of food, accommodation, and
other services. Typically, hiking doesn’t cost you anything but snowshoeing, as
an optional activity adds an additional cost of about $200 per person.
Is hiking in Antarctica safe?
Yes, it is, and all
you need to do is opt for a reputed tour operator and be physically fit for
hiking in Antarctica. As a group participant, you need to be in a good physical
condition so as to not to slow down the whole group. However, there are easier
hiking and walking activities that one can pick based on their interests and
levels of fitness. Let your tour operator guide you on making the right
choices. Hiking in Antarctica is perfectly safe as each activity is supervised
by a specialist guide. However, people with serious health conditions are not
advised to trek in very remote areas.
Why is hiking recommended?
Expert mountain guides
highly recommend hiking and snowshoeing that can typically last 2-3 hours,
based on the general fitness of the group. The mountainous topography of
Antarctica offers better walking opportunities and a great experience in
hiking. Snowshoeing is easy when exploring the Antarctic Peninsula and most
people get used to Snowshoeing as it is not technically challenging.
What are the best trails?
Enjoy the most
popular trails in Antarctica that are loved by hikers, campers, and nature
lovers, just like you. Some of the best trails are located on the Antarctic
Peninsula and the surrounding islands.
●
Deception Island Walk- This is an easy trail that takes you
through Whalers Bay, South Shetland Islands, Antarctica and covers about two
miles, and will take about an hour to complete. The moderately trafficked loop
offers you the best chance to see wildlife.
●
Palmer Station to Point Eight -The trek from Palmer Station
to Point Eight will take you through Glacier Top and is a moderate hike. It
will take you about an hour and a half to complete the 3.6 miles long hike.
Enjoy the sight of elephant seals and penguins along the way as you pass
through the glacier top and watch the Antarctic terns fly over the glacier.
●
Glacier Top and Point 8- Glacier Top and Point 8 trek takes you
via the Green and Red Flag Lines and is a moderate trek. It is about three
miles long and can be completed within an hour and a half. Start the trail at
the Glacier Top and pass the Red Flag Lines and return to Point 8 via the Green
Flag Lines.
●
McMurdo Sound and Ross Ice Shelf Trails-Explore these trails
that head to McMurdo Sound and the Ross Ice Shelf and enjoy magnificent views
of Mount Erebus and the stunning scenery around. Trek to the Observation Hill
to get a bird’s-eye view of the research station or explore the Dry Valleys,
which are seen as some of the most extreme deserts on the planet.
Other options for adventure
One can look for other
adventure options such as Paddle Excursion, Alpine Heli-Trekking, Antarctic
Camping, Zodiac Cruising, Stand-up Paddle boarding, and Polar Plunge. You will
be provided with the instruction and equipment needed for these adventures, and
an expert guide will always be with you for guidance and support. However, a
lot relies on the wind, weather, and water conditions.
●
Paddle Excursion
Paddle Excursion means going on inflatable kayaks to get a water-level
experience in Antarctica. Paddle on those rugged and comfortable crafts to
explorer some unforgettable locations in the polar regions and catch a
different perspective of life here.
●
Polar Plunge
The Polar Plunge sometimes takes place onshore and is a must to enjoy
during your voyage. The participants are required to wear a tethered harness and
take a plunge in those Polar waters. Enjoy those stunning views of remote
ridgelines backed by snow-topped peaks as you take the Polar plunge.
●
Alpine Heli-Trekking
Alpine Heli-Trekking is a great Antarctic adventure That you should certainly
not miss on. Get aboard the twin-engine helicopter to take a trekking excursion
and enjoy some unforgettable views of the expansive polar landscape. You are
sure to get overwhelmed with the beauty of the Antarctic.
●
Antarctic Camping
How about staring at the stars on an Antarctic night as you camp outside?
Suddenly you hear the bray of a penguin or the exhalation of a humpback whale.
Antarctic Camping is indeed an unforgettable experience, and all you need to do
is pick a spot for your Camping and wait for the Antarctic night to unfold.
●
Zodiac Cruising
Zodiacs are heavy-duty inflatable vessels that are specially designed for
expedition and transport essential luggage. Take your ocean-level cruising to
new levels as you go past those icebergs, whales, and seabirds. Enjoy looking
at remote and isolated sites, which is only possible on Zodiac Cruising.
●
Stand-up Paddleboarding
●
lso known as SUPing, Stand-up Paddleboarding has already become
a popular watersport in Antarctica. Get ready to enjoy the immersive experience
of kayaking in a standing position and experience the Antarctic sky and water.
Even beginners with a bit of practice are quite stable on these paddle boards
because of their wide base and tail fins.
Hiking in
Antarctica is a unique experience and an adventure that you’ll genuinely never
forget. You get the rare chance to feast
your eyes on those magnificent panoramic vistas as you climb the Antarctica
glaciers and scale rocky peaks amidst the awe-inspiring snow-covered wilderness
with hidden valleys and icy crests.
Do’s
And Don’ts of Hiking In Antarctica
Hiking in
Antarctica isn't the same as hitting a well-worn path with a lot of snow.
Before you sign up for an Antarctica hiking trip, keep a few things in mind.
·
Find out what level of fitness is expected from your tour
operator. The difficulty of each hike varies.
·
Consider not being able to, and instead pee behind a bush.
On Antarctica, leaving any kind of human waste is strictly prohibited. As a
result, if nature calls while hiking, you'll need to have a nice bottle. There
are no trees, but you may be able to hide behind a rock. Most hikes are just a
few hours long, which is fortunate.
·
Make sure you're in decent shape because none of the hikes
are as easy as a stroll down the sidewalk. There are no trails, and the
landscape is rough and difficult to navigate.
·
When you travel inland, you become much more isolated and
separated from the cruise ship. In the case of a medical emergency, only basic
assistance will be given if you have serious health problems. It is not
recommended that you participate if you have severe health issues.
So,
what is hiking in Antarctica like?
Hiking in
Antarctica and its neighboring islands are a fantastic way to see otherworldly
views. These panoramas could not have been seen before from a cruise ship or on
normal shore landings. You'll travel through breathtaking and spectacular
landscapes. You should not, however, expect to follow some kind of trial. The
soil of the peninsula is not suitable for hiking. It requires circumnavigating
craters and has a lot of uneven terrain with falling pebbles. Regardless,
you'll be venturing into remote areas and seeing the South Pole from a new
perspective.
The South
Georgia Islands and the South Shetland Islands offer the best hiking
opportunities. On Deception Island, it's especially common. An active volcano
or over 100,000 breeding pairs of Chinstrap penguins can be found there. There
are typically many choices of varying degrees of difficulty, ranging from easy walks
to more challenging hikes. Quick hikes are the most popular due to the
difficult terrain. It normally takes up to three hours, but it can take longer
on rare occasions.
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