As the guests aboard the National Geographic Explorer arose on March 2nd, 2015, hustle and bustle began right away with a promise of visiting Stromness, an iconic South Georgia landing site. The afternoon would be no less exciting, with an invigorating hike from Maiviken to Grytviken and a visit to the gravesite of The Boss, Ernest Shackleton.
Stromness was the first sight of civilization the men of Shackleton’s Endurance expedition were granted after over a year of intense survival in Antarctica. An old whaling station, Stromness, was active in 1916 when Ernest Shackleton, Tom Crean, and Frank Worsley triumphantly scaled the last peak of their inconceivable journey and hiked down into the valley which still today holds the remains of this institution. The men rejoiced, and as soon as possible a rescue was sent to Elephant Island, where the rest of the crew of the Endurance had, in the meantime, overwintered. To be able to see this very site which finished a journey of truly epic proportions was monumental. It is a phenomenal historical marker.
After a morning of hiking and photography at Stromness, the ship repositioned to drop off guests at Maiviken, a cove at the north end of Thatcher Peninsula. A large percentage of the ship’s passengers chose to participate in an absolutely lovely hike through a great portion of the South Georgia wilderness. With a well-trodden path and lakes to rest at along the way, the few miles to Grytviken flew by, and by arrival in this protected bay, the hikers were excited for some historical education.
Within Grytviken is a cemetery which holds the graves of several men, whalers and explorers alike. Amongst them are Ernest Shackleton, whose widow chose Grytviken as his final resting place, and Frank Wild, whose ashes were brought to rest next to The Boss. Our great historical naturalist Steve McLean led us in a toast to the boss, standing on that hillside in a uniquely spectacular corner of the world. As the passengers raised their glasses to one of history’s greatest explorers and took a swig of Jameson’s whiskey, a wave of achievement and fulfillment swept the cemetery. To see the burial site of The Boss, to toast in his honor and walk in his footsteps is an unbelievable luxury that today, everyone enjoyed.
