36. Orne Harbour

36.Orne Harbour

64º38´00´´S, 62º33´00´´W

Southern arm of Orne Harbour, Gerlache Strait

Latest Revision: 2013

Key Features

 Moderate climb to a vantage point overlooking the Errera Channel, Gerlache Strait, Anvers and Brabant Islands
 Continental landing
 Chinstrap penguin colonies, mosses and lichens
 Blue-eyed shag colony which can be viewed from the water

Description

TOPOGRAPHY

The landing site centres on a low saddle on the inside southern arm of Orne Harbour. The site comprises a rocky shoreline below scree slopes and patches of permanent snow, rising to a saddle which overlooks Errera Channel and Gerlache Strait. The southern side of the saddle is covered with deep permanent compacted snow and ice. From the saddle a steep ridge rises to a prominent rocky headland called Spigot Peak. The Harbour is ringed with glaciers and steep peaks.

FAUNA

Confirmed breeders: Antarctic tern, Blue-eyed shag, Cape petrel, chinstrap Penguin, Kelp gull, Skua, Snow petrel, Wilson’s storm petrel.

Regularly haul out: Antarctic fur seal.

Seen near-shore: Leopard seal, Weddell seal.

Seen off-shore: Humpback Whale.

Suspected Breeders: Snowy sheathbill.

FLORA

Moss species; bearded and crustose lichen species including Xanthoria spp., Buellia spp., Caloplaca spp. and Usnea spp. grow on the north facing slopes of Spigot peak and on the rocky outcrops.

Visitor Impact

KNOWN IMPACTS

None.

POTENTIAL IMPACTS

Disturbance to wildlife and trampling of vegetation.

Landing Requirements

SHIPS*

Max pax on board: 500
Ships per day: 3

VISITORS

Maximum number of visitors at any time, exclusive of expedition guides and leaders: 100
Visitors per guide: 20

Visitor Area

LANDING AREA

A low lying rock platform approximately 500m along the southern shore from the entrance to Orne Harbour, directly below the saddle leading to Spigot Peak.

GUIDED WALKING AREA

Routes to the saddle should be marked or guided. Once on the ridge, visitors should be closely supervised.
At the northern end of the level rock ridge leading onto Spigot Peak it is possible to follow a route to the top of the Peak. This is an occasionally steep and exposed route, initially on rock and then snow. The route above the saddle towards Spigot Peak should only be attempted by those with suitable glaciated mountain experience and training, and using suitable equipment.

FREE ROAMING AREA

There is limited level ground around the landing site, but visitors can roam freely under supervision in this area. Do not walk on loose scree to avoid disturbance to burrowing petrels and damage to vegetation.

Visitor code of conduct

BEHAVIOUR ASHORE

All visits are to be conducted in accordance with the General Guidelines for Visitors to the Antarctic.
Be alert to Antarctic terns which may nest very near the landing site. Be prepared to move away from rocky outcrops.
Chinstrap penguins nest in rocks along the ridge. Be aware that their nests may be partially obscured. Where possible walk on snow. When on rock, avoid trampling moss and other vegetation. Burrowing petrels nest in loose scree, so do not walk in these areas to protect their nests.

CAUTIONARY NOTES

The permanent ice on the Errera Channel side of the saddle and Spigot Peak are corniced, crevassed and dangerous, even on the ridge itself. Routes should be checked carefully and if needed only visited by those with suitable training and equipment. Boat drivers should be aware of rocky approaches to the landing site. Beware that glacier calving may cause dangerous waves.

View of landing site (left hand side) and route to the ridge


Holes may be present on top of the saddle and on the approaches		The steep and exposed route north along the ridge towards Spigot Peak

36. Orne Harbour

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