Petermann Island, January 30, 2008 afternoon, our most southerly point, 65 deg 10' S, 64 deg 10'
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Petermann Island has a long history. First discovered by a German expedition in 1873-74 it is anmed for the German geographer, August Petermann. French explorer, Jean-Baptiste Charcot overwintered here in 1909. The refuge hut was built in 1955 by the Government of Argentina. It is intended for travelers who need shelter from the harsh Antarctic weather. This hut has been used several times, but the most famous was in 1982. This hut is a reminder of the fragility of human life in the Antarctic. A cross stands as a memorial to three British Antarctic Survey scientists who disappeared in the early 1980s. They hiked across the pack ice for several miles in the hopes of climbing a nearby mountain. They were turned back by the weather and took refuge in this hut on Petermann Island. There was (and is) food and water in the hut to last for at least fifty days, and the three scientists took up residence, while remaining in radio contact with their base, a mere 6 miles away, but impassible by ship or on foot due to poor ice conditions. After about 30 days, the men were not heard from again. Their station mates were able to reach the hut after about 50 days and the men were not to be found. It was clear that they had been at the hut. The rescuers found their journal, which indicated that the three men had taken off across the ice to get back to the station. They have not been heard from since. Petermann is the home to a study being conducted by the group Oceanities. Three scientists camp out during the summer months and carefully study the colonies of Adelie and gentoo penguins that live on the beautiful island.
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