Antarctica in Fathoms Magazine

I just received my copy of Fathoms Magazine. It holds my Antarctica article. I am very happy with the result, it's my first ever article in the US.

well done Andre, would love to go there some day...

Congrats.

I'll look for that magazine.

well done Andre, would love to go there some day...

Great idea for a wetpixel expedition

well done Andre, would love to go there some day...

Mr "I don't get in the water unless it's 29C" in the Antarctic? You know your 5mm won't cut it there

I just received my copy of Fathoms Magazine. It holds my Antarctica article. I am very happy with the result, it's my first ever article in the US.

Congrats Andre,

Just to let you know here is the US I got my copy three weeks ago!

I recommend to all here to get that issue! It is not only superbly photographed by Andre but it is an extremely well written article (by his wife I think?).

A wonderful look into a fantastic adventure! And Go Fathoms Magazine! The quality of the printed photographs is outstanding.

Thanks so much!

Carol

well done Andre, would love to go there some day...

Mr "I don't get in the water unless it's 29C" in the Antarctic? You know your 5mm won't cut it there

PS - I think Mike Veitch is going to have to get his drysuit out of his parent's garage for that particular expedition....., you think he can actually get enough underwear under that thing to survive Antarctica??

Julie, I'd like to go too, I have a dive buddy that did her marine biology internship at McMurdo Sound, Antarctica and she said that at certain times of the year the viz is more than one-half a mile, no lie!!!!!! She "lucked-out" and was there at a time when no one else wanted to dive with the scientists and she logged many hours underwater there. When I bought my drysuit Faith from DUI insisted to fit me in a bigger size and she said "You don't want to limit your diving, you'll be able to dive in Antarctica in that...." I thought oh, yea right!! But now, doesn't seem too out of the question? Best, C

i thought it was around 25C in the water there in the summer....

darn....

so i won't go then...

i thought it was around 25C in the water there in the summer....

You need a big bladder to keep it on 25

It goes without saying, but you need to do a lot of research into this sort of trip. Ther massive viz people report from Antarctica usually comes from the US base at McMurdo Sound during the winter when you dive under the ice. Most of the operators who visit during the summer focus on the northern sections of the Antarctic Peninsula, where the diving is variable to say the least. You are typically diving in meltwater with pretty low viz, and there ain't a lot of marine life because you are diving on the scar lines created by shifting bergs. The star of the show is undoubetedly the leopard seal, but you should note that these pinnipeds are so big and so fearless that they are deemed an unnacceptable risk and many operators avoid them, or make you get out of the water when they turn up.

My advice? Work out what you want to do and spend those dollars wisely. Try and get together a specific diving charter - that way you won't be beholden to the birdwatchers/kayakers/hikers who otherwise set the agenda and the route. Dive sites should be your priority, and you need guides who know the region.

The cold isn't as bad as you imagine, but don't envsage diving much more than 45 minutes at a time. The trick is a biggish drysuit, plenty of thermal layers, dry gloves (or neoprene claws) and kit you can trust in the cold. You need to practice dealing with free-flows, and buy a reg that can cope with water temperatures of minus 1.5ºC.

Well, you need to do a lot of homework, and I'm sure Andre's piece in Fathoms will be an excellent start. My message is simply that if you're looking for big viz, the peninsula may not deliver your needs. Good luck!

Thanks for sharing your experience Grinderman.

Andre: can't wait to see the article. If it holds the shot of the Leopard seal catching the penguin that will be a bonus!

James

Hey I didn't even notice that was you. Great shots, I was blown away by what you were able to capture. Some real beauties. I had seen some shots from Paul Nicklin in Geographic not long ago I thought were pretty cool but you have some real winners there.

Congrats and well done

Todd

Well done Andre, great stuff. Congratulations.

Alex