Antarctica Expedition, 2015

STANFORD TRAVEL/STUDY

STANFORD TRAVEL/STUDY Antarctica

inExpeditio the footstepsn of Ernest shackleton

January 5 to 26, 2017

a program of the stanford alumni association STANFORD TRAVEL/STUDY gentoo penguin

Few places capture the image of an unspoiled wilderness as stunningly as Antarctica. Yet the growing body of scientifc evidence on climate change shows us that even this pristine environment has become vulnerable to human activity. This is clearly one compelling reason why explorers, researchers and travelers are feeling an increased urgency to make the journey to the “last continent” to experience frsthand its wild, glaciated terrain and the huge numbers of seabirds and mammals that make their home on the ice. Learn from renowned Stanford climate change expert, Rob Dunbar, as well as a team of naturalists, as they share with us their wealth of knowledge about this extraordinary wonderland of icebergs, seals, penguins and seabirds. The time has never been riper to embark on this expedition of a lifetime. Join us!

Brett S. Thompson, ’83, Director, Stanford Travel/Study

Highlights caption WITNESS the huge STEP foot on the Antarctic LEARN about early polar VISIT the remote Falk- penguin colonies of South Peninsula and revel in the exploration and whaling land Islands to view vast Georgia—king, macaroni, sweeping panorama of history, with a special focus gatherings of rockhopper gentoo and chinstrap—as snow-capped peaks, mighty on the gripping tale of Ernest and Magellanic penguins well as large numbers of glaciers and glistening Shackleton and his crew of as regal black-browed fur and elephant seals. icebergs. the doomed Endurance. albatrosses soar above us.

Cover: King Penguins Stanford Faculty Leader

Rob Dunbar, whose research interest span climate change, marine ecology, glaciology and biogeochemistry is the William Keck Professor of Earth Science and J. Frederick and Elizabeth B. Weintz University Fellow in Undergraduate Education at Stanford University. He has traveled to the Antarctic more than 30 times and has spent over six years working there – much of it at sea in the Southern Ocean, including the areas we will visit on our expedition. He heads a Stanford research group that studies past, present and future climate change as well as its impacts on oceanic and coastal environments. He works regularly with the U.S. government as well as the United Nations to help develop and implement solutions to environmental and resource problems. Rob recently served on a U.S. National Academy of Sciences committee tasked with developing strategic visions for U.S. investment in Antarctic research. He has led more than 20 previous Travel/Study program, including six to Antarctica. “You can always On this program, Rob will lecture on the fiery and icy origins of the islands of the Scotia Sea as well expect the best as its oceanographic setting; exciting new research discoveries coming out of the region; and from the Stanford Shackleton’s polar expeditions. The part of Antarctica we will visit is warming and melting faster faculty and Rob than the rest of the continent and the U.S. government has launched a major effort to under- stand how this is affecting global sea level rise. We’ll learn about this project during shipboard Dunbar was no lectures as well as when we discuss glaciers and ice sheets during our shore landings. exception: knowl- Since 1990 Stanford Travel/Study has partnered with Zegrahm Expeditions to combine some of edgeable, engaging the world’s most remote and remarkable destinations with expedition leaders and naturalists who and personable.” are experts in their fields and passionate about the natural wonders we encounter. Joining Profes- Joanne and sor Dunbar on this voyage are expedition leader Dan Olsen, naturalists Conrad and Carmen Jack Murdock, Field, marine biologist Rick Price and ornithologist Jim Wilson. Antarctica Expedition, 2015

STANFORD TRAVEL/STUDY

sea lions, Beagle Channel Steeple Saunders ARGENTINA Jason Island Island Elsehul Salisbury Bay Plain Stromness Bay FALKLAND CHILE SOUTH Grytviken ISLANDS GEORGIA TIERRA DEL FUEGO Gold Elephant Harbour Ushuaia Island Deception Island ge ssa Pa Drake Brown Bluff

Pleneau Island n ANTARCTIC A t l a n t i c O c e a Lemaire Channel PENINSULA Grytviken, South Georgia island

Embark the Ocean Diamond in Tuesday & Wednesday, Georgia’s north coast, be awed the afternoon and set sail for the January 10 & 11 by the sight—and sound!—of Itinerary CRUISING THE Falkland Islands. OCEAN DIAMOND SOUTH SCOTIA SEA more than 200,000 king penguins (B,L,D) congregating and breeding. Thursday & Friday, Spend time cruising at sea as our January 5 & 6 Sunday, January 8 lecturers recap our experiences DEPART U.S. / Stromness Bay AT SEA and prepare us for our visit USHUAIA, ARGENTINA Envision Sir Ernest Shackleton Enjoy a day at sea listening to to South Georgia. On deck, Depart from home on indepen- and his party arriving at Strom- lecturers who introduce us to the join naturalists in search of the dent overnight flights to Ushuaia, ness Bay after their harrowing natural and historical highlights seabirds and marine mammals via Buenos Aires. Upon arrival on crossing of the island’s glaciers that lie ahead. This evening before that flourish in these nutrient-rich Friday, transfer to our centrally on foot, and take in views of the dinner, gather with fellow travelers waters. OCEAN DIAMOND (B,L,D— located hotel in Ushuaia. Spend cliffs and the glacier from which for a “welcome aboard” cocktail BOTH DAYS) the rest of the day relaxing or the famous adventurer and his reception. OCEAN DIAMOND (B,L,D) exploring this bustling seaport. Thursday to Saturday, companions descended. Gather for a welcome orientation Monday, January 9 January 12 to 14 SOUTH GEORGIA Grytviken and dinner in our hotel. Arakur STEEPLE JASON & Ushuaia Resort and Spa (1/6: D) SAUNDERS ISLANDS, During our time in South Georgia, Go ashore to explore the ruins of FALKLAND ISLANDS we call at some of the many bays, this once-active whaling station; Saturday, January 7 On Steeple Jason Island observe coves and glaciers where we have the cemetery holds a special USHUAIA / EMBARK a large colony of black-browed the chance to see outstanding fascination, as it is here that Enjoy a morning cruise through albatrosses and walk along the birdlife and fur and elephant seals Shackleton is buried. the Beagle Channel, then beautiful beaches blanketed close at hand. Specific stops disembark in Tierra del with seabirds. On Saunders are not guaranteed; following is Gold Harbour Fuego National Park, Island wander amid colonies a list of places we plan to visit Situated at the foot of the Bertrab where we hike of gentoo, rockhopper and (subject to change, pending local Glacier, Gold Harbour is often surrounded Magellanic penguins. conditions). referred to as the “jewel in the by dramatic OCEAN DIAMOND island’s crown.” In addition to a mountain (B,L,D) Elsehul Bay large king penguin colony, we’re scenery. Enjoy time in this beautiful bay likely to see fur and elephant seals, that’s home to thousands gentoo penguins and giant petrels. of fur seals as well as macaroni penguins, the Flexibility is a given during our most numerous of all time in South Georgia. Our penguin species. expedition staff will want to take advantage of the long daylight Black- Salisbury Plain hours, perhaps making a landing Browed Albatross Here at glacier-flanked before breakfast or after dinner. Pair Salisbury Plain on South OCEAN DIAMOND (B,L,D—ALL 3 DAYS) Rockhopper Penguins

Grytviken, South Georgia island Elephant seal

Sunday & Monday, Brown Bluff Due to the expeditionary nature Thursday, January 26 January 15 & 16 Located on the Antarctic of our voyage and the vagaries U.S. SOUTH SCOTIA SEA continent, the volcanic promontory of weather and ice, specific ArrivePr in ethe -U.S.trip in the early As our lecture series continues, morning hours and connect of Brown Bluff rises 2,450 feet stops during our exploration of our naturalists introduce us to to flights homeward. above an ash beach littered with the Antarctic Peninsula can’t be Extension the history, geology and wildlife huge, bizarrely shaped boulders. guaranteed. December 29, 2016, to January 6, of the Antarctic Peninsula and Marvel at the sight of the some OCEAN DIAMOND (B,L,D—ALL 5 DAYS) 2017 (5 additional days) its surrounding islands. OCEAN 20,000 pairs of Adelie penguins DIAMOND (B,L,D—BOTH DAYS) Monday & Tuesday, torres del paine, and hundreds of gentoo penguins PAtagonia January 23 & 24 Tuesday, January 17 who make their home here. DRAKE PASSAGE Encompassing 615,000 acres ELEPHANT ISLAND During our crossing of Drake of expansive grasslands and the Deception Island This morning we arrive at craggy Passage, enjoy numerous fantastic pinnacles of the Andean As we approach Deception Island Elephant Island, made famous by opportunities to see and mountains, Chile’s Torres del Paine the Shackleton expedition and through Neptune’s Bellows, a photograph wandering and National Park is Patagonia’s premier where towering glaciers, speckled channel just wide enough for black-browed albatrosses, destination. Here peaks of twisted, with pink algae, create a dramatic our ship to navigate, southern sooty shearwaters and white- snow-dusted granite—endowed backdrop. Weather permitting, fulmars and pintado petrels soar chinned petrels. Also keep a with waterfalls, emerald lakes and take a Zodiac cruise around the overhead. Our anchorage is inside lookout for the whales often verdant valleys—tower above the island and enjoy the opportunity to a volcano whose collapsed cone seen in these waters. On our plains of Patagonia. During our view a thriving chinstrap penguin has been filled by seawater. last evening at sea, celebrate three full days in the park, we take colony. OCEAN DIAMOND (B,L,D) Lemaire Channel our adventure at a pre-dinner every opportunity to observe the and Pleneau Island farewell cocktail reception. Wednesday to Sunday, unique flora and fauna of the region. Cruising the beautiful Lemaire OCEAN DIAMOND (B,L,D—BOTH January 18 to 22 Nearly 150 native animal species ANTARCTIC PENINSULA Channel, keep watch for the DAYS) reside in the steppe and forested As we cruise the waters of the humpback and minke whales fre- Wednesday & Thursday, areas, including Patagonian foxes, Antarctic Peninsula and its quently spotted here. This narrow January 25 & 26 vicunas and guanacos. Overnight adjacent islands, if possible, channel is one of the most visually USHUAIA, ARGENTINA / accommodations in the park are we’ll visit a research station and impressive areas of the Antarctic DISEMBARK / BUENOS AIRES / U.s. witness the scientific activities Peninsula. Steep mountain peaks at the Explora Hotel. Additional Disembark in Ushuaia and conducted by the multinational jut out of the sea on both sides, details will be sent to confirmed transfer to the airport for community of scientists working and the waters are often choked participants. overnight flights to the U.S., there. The list below provides a with icebergs and frequented by with connections in Buenos glimpse of the places we may crabeater seals. A stunning EXTENSION COST Aires. (1/25: B) experience (subject to change, labyrinth of grounded icebergs $4,280 per person, pending local conditions). lies in the shallow waters west double occupancy of Pleneau Island, presenting a $5,760 per person, superb Zodiac cruising experience. single occupancy

Ocean Diamond Program Cost* Rates per person, based on double or single occupancy, as specified Recently refurbished, the 175-guest Ocean Diamond is a superb oceangoing vessel equipped with stabilizers and an ice-hardened category DESCRIPTION DOUBLE SINGLE** hull, allowing her to easily navigate the most rugged natural 1 Upper and Captain’s Decks, $17,980 $22,580 environments. Each stateroom features configurable beds, flat- 180–200 sq. ft., picture window screen television and private bathroom. The Ocean Diamond carries a fleet of Zodiacs, available for accessing islands and 2 Lower Deck, 200 sq. ft., $18,780 $23,580 remote shorelines. 2 portholes

OBSERVATION DECK 3 Main Deck, 180–200 sq. ft., $19,780 $24,780 picture window 710 708 706 704 702 OBSERVATION LOUNGE 709 707 705 703 701 4 Upper Deck,180–200 sq. ft., $20,980 $26,280 picture window CAPTAIN’S DECK

FITNESS CENTER 622 620 618 616 614 612* 610* 608* 606 604 602 600 5 Captain’s Deck, 180–200 sq. ft., $22,480 — POOL SUN DECK BRIDGE picture window GRILL 625 623 621 619 617 615 611 609 607 605 603 601 * * * Suite Main Deck, 325 sq. ft., full-size $23,480 — UPPER DECK window with sliding glass door

LIBRARY 522 520 518 516 514 512 510 508 506 504 502 LECTURE THEATER Balcony Observation Deck, 400 sq. ft. $25,780 — 517 515 511 509 507 505 503 501 Suite picture window

MAIN DECK

436 434 432 430 414 BOUTIQUE 418 412 410 406 402 = Fully obstructed view 416 408 404 * RECEPTION = Partially obstructed view LOUNGE 409 405 401 439 437 435 433 431 417 411 RESTAURANT 419 415 407 403 *Association nonmembers add $300 per person. ** Single accommodations may be limited. LOWER DECK Additional singles may be available at 1.6 times the share rate. 332 328 324 320 316 326 322 318 314 Tonnage: 8,282 Year Built: 1974 RESTAURANT Number of Guests: 175 Number of Crew: 144 337 333 329 325 321 317 335 331 327 323 319 315 Registry: France *Fully Obstructed View Partially Obstructed View Information Terms & Conditions

Dates Deposit & Final Payment operators act only as agents January 5 to 26, 2017 (22 days) A $1,000-per-person deposit is for the passenger with respect required to hold your space. A to transportation and ship $200-per-person deposit is required arrangements and exercise every Size to hold space for the optional Torres care possible in doing so. However, Limited to a total of 175 participants, including travelers from del Paine pre-trip extension. Sign we can assume no liability for up online at alumni.stanford.edu/ injury, damage, loss, accident, Stanford and Zegrahm Expeditions. Single accommodations trip?antarcica2017 or call the delay or irregularity in connection may be limited to as few as 2 cabins. Travel/Study office at (650) 725-1093. with the service of any automobile, Final payment is due 120 days motorcoach, launch or any other prior to departure. As a condition conveyance used in carrying out this Included of participation, all confirmed program or for the acts or defaults 1 night of deluxe hotel accommodations in Ushuaia 18-night participants are required to sign of any company or person engaged cruise aboard the Ocean Diamond 19 breakfasts, 18 lunches a Release of Liability. in conveying the passenger or in carrying out the arrangements of and 19 dinners Welcome and farewell cocktail receptions Cancellations & Refunds the program. We cannot accept any Gratuities to guides, drivers and ship crew for all group activities Deposits and any payments are responsibility for losses or additional All tours and shore excursions as described in the itinerary refundable, less a $500-per- expenses due to delay or changes person cancellation fee, until 120 in air or other services, sickness, Kayaking for experienced kayakers (not guaranteed, limited days prior to departure. After that weather, strike, war, quarantine, availability) Transfers and baggage handling on program ar- date, refunds can be made only force majeure or other causes rival and departure days Port fees and embarkation taxes if the program is sold out and beyond our control. All such losses Minimal medical, accident and evacuation insurance Educa- your place(s) can be resold, in or expenses will have to be borne by which case a $1,000-per-person the passenger as tour rates provide tional program with lecture series and pre-departure materials, cancellation fee will apply. arrangements only for the time including recommended reading list, a selected book, map and stated. We reserve the right to make travel information Services of our professional tour manager Insurance such alterations to this published Stanford Travel/Study provides itinerary as may be deemed to assist you throughout the program all travelers who are U.S. or necessary. The right is reserved Canadian citizens with minimal to cancel any program prior to Not Included medical, accident and evacuation departure in which case the entire coverage under our group-travel payment will be refunded without Air transportation Passport and visa fees Immunization insurance policy. Our group policy further obligation on our part. The costs Meals and beverages other than those specified as in- is intended to provide minimal right is also reserved to decline to cluded Independent and private transfers Trip-cancellation/ levels of protection while you are accept or retain any person as a traveling on this program. You may member of the program. No refund interruption and baggage insurance Excess-baggage charges choose to subscribe to optional will be made for an unused portion Personal items such as internet access, telephone and fax trip-cancellation and baggage of any tour unless arrangements calls, laundry and gratuities for nongroup services insurance. Information will be are made in sufficient time to avoid provided to travelers with their penalties. Baggage is carried welcome materials. The product at the owner’s risk entirely. It is Air Arrangements offered includes special benefits understood that the ship’s ticket, International and U.S. domestic airfare is not included in the if you purchase your policy within when issued, shall constitute 14 days of written confirmation of the sole contract between the program cost. Round-trip, economy-class airfare from San your participation on the trip. passenger and the cruise company. Francisco to Ushuaia, Argentina, is approximately $1,925 as The airlines concerned are not to of January 2016 and is subject to change without notice. In- Eligibility be held responsible for any act, formation on recommended flight itineraries will be sent by our We encourage membership in the omission or event during the time Alumni Association as the program that passengers are not onboard designated agent approximately 180 days prior to departure. cost for nonmembers is $300 more their plane or conveyance. Neither than the members’ price. A person the Alumni Association, Stanford What to Expect traveling as a paid guest of a current University nor our operators accept member will not be charged the liability for any carrier’s cancellation For most activities, a relatively moderate level of exertion is nonmember fee. To purchase a penalty incurred by the purchase of required. You will need to climb into and out of Zodiacs for membership, visit alumni.stanford. a nonrefundable ticket in connection excursions ashore. Onshore, you must be able to walk moder- edu/goto/membership or call with the tour. Program price is (650) 725-0692. based on rates in effect in February ate distances, unaided, over rough terrain (e.g. rocky, uneven 2016 and is subject to change beaches in the sub-Antarctic islands and occasional ice and Responsibility without notice to reflect fluctuations snow on the Antarctic Peninsula). Daytime temperatures range The Stanford Alumni Association, in exchange rates, tariffs or fuel Stanford University and our charges. from 45 to 55 (°F) in the sub-Antarctic region and may drop to the 30s on the Antarctic Peninsula itself, although sunshine and low humidity create a very temperate atmosphere. Participants tELEPHONE (650) 725-1093 Email [email protected] must be physically fit, active and in good health. We welcome California Seller of Travel Program Registration #2048 523-50 travelers 12 years of age and older on this program.

© COPYRIGHT 2016 STANFORD ALUMNI ASSOCIATION. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Printed on recycled, FSC-certified paper in the U.S. Stanford Travel/Study Nonproﬁt Org. Frances C. Arrillaga Alumni Center U.S. Postage 326 Galvez Street PAID Antarctica Stanford, CA 94305-6105 Stanford Alumni (650) 725-1093 Association inExpeditio the footstepsn of Ernest shackleton

January 5 to 26, 2017

alumni.stanford.edu/goto/travelstudy “The trip of a lifetime. It changed my perspective of the world.” Judy Avery, ’59, Antarctica Expedition, 2013

STANFORD TRAVEL/STUDY

Humpback Whale