All is peaceful here. I'm the only one onboard while Antiope sits at anchor at the head of a fjord which isn't on any chart. The weather is fine and a party has been ashore for two nights now, sleeping in a hut at the top of a glacier. From there they have a good base camp for climbing the surrounding hills. I believe that several are camping out for a third night so as to allow them to reach the summit of one particularly hard mountains. Yesterday saw Terry Duck and myself take the dinghy 15 miles up the fjord to a small settlement for more beer. On our return we found a great big iceberg with a natural swimming pool on it so in I go up to my neck and **** it was cold! Possibly more stupid than heroic, but it was fun! We have met up with a family of Scots that have been coming here for 15 years. They have two ribs which they live on and have a great time exploring for five weeks each year. We are keeping in radio contact with them, and they are giving us good daily reports on the ice condition - which are not too favourable at the moment!
Robert Bower has tuned the SSB to radio ham mode and we have been talking to people all over the world- even a bloke in Aberdeen that knows my next door neighbour. We are working on 14.201-14.225 and 14.175-14,199.
Will send stories of climbing expedition when they return, but for now I'm off to relax in the cockpit with my book and beer, and soak up the warm sun along with the sound of the waves gently caressing the shore .....
Hi to everyone, Mark

by Colin de Mowbray
As you see Mark makes comment about their success contact with the SSB radio. I will signal him to see what time they are working these frequencies. Maybe someone following has access to an HF radio and could contact them. The call signs are: Antiope MWDZ5, Ariel MWEF5

Malcolm Wright and Bob Siceloff went up to the hut with supplies while four others went along the back of the glacier and had to abseil down the end of it. Five others came my route with the remaining seven coming down on Sunday.

The curry was eventually finished on Saturday afternoon. An alternative plan to pour it over the glacier was ruled out on grounds that the resulting collapse would effect the stability of the world's climate!

Mark has been to a local village and been skinny dipping on a berg with a pool. A large berg has gone aground 50 yards from the boat. I am glad the tidal range is only 3 metres as we don't want it toppling this way. In all, a quiet day. RKJ

Comments, feedback and other articles are welcome and should be addressed to either: cdemowbray@clipper-ventures.com or dcullen@clipper-ventures.com

Should you wish to communicate with either of the Clippers please refer to the article 'Satcoms made easy' (Yes, it's a lie) is a news items dated 11 June 98 on the Clipper Ventures' Home page