From the 1993/94 Orient Lines Marco Polo brochure...

Cape Adare and Cape Hallet

These two capes at the tip of Victoria Land are unforgettably beautiful. Against the spectacular backdrop of Antarctica's highest mountain range, we'll find immense penguin rookeries and, at Cape Adare, the hut built by Borchgrewink during his expedition in 1899. Constructed in Norwegian style without fastenings, it is still in excellent condition.

From the 1994 Orient Lines Grand Antarctic Circumnavigation brochure...

Cape Hallett

Via the Edisto Inlet, the Marco Polo slowly approaches Cape Hallett with some of the most magnificent scenery in the Ross Sea region. Mountainous terrain, shrouded in ice, reflects sun onto drifting icebergs on all sides. The waters of this area are completely still and become a mirror that multiplies the extraordinary vision. The only remaining sign of life at Cape Hallett is a small building left as a reminder of the tiny base that once was here. Wildlife has taken back the site and penguins are now the only residents.

Cape Adare

The approach to Cape Adare is via Robertson Bay and the black, pebble-covered beach is home to one of the largest colonies of Adelies in the Ross Sea. During breeding season, almost a quarter of a million nesting pairs inhabit the huge expanse of beach and waves of penguins porpoise among the ice floes and traverse the currents as they travel to and from the rookery.

But here there is also another important historic site. The first permanent structure on the continent was built for an 1899 Antarctic expedition. Ongoing conservation work has restored the isolated and snow-damaged hut of the Borchgrevink expedition which now stands as a silent memorial on the vast beach. Nicolai Hansen, the first human to be buried in Antarctica, died during the expedition and re- quested to be buried high atop the ridge overlooking Cape Adare and the sea. It is said that Hansen, knowing he was dying, spent many hours atop the cliff looking out towards the empty horizon. His gravesite, extremely difficult to access, is marked by a small cross.


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