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  5. 45. Cape Adare

45. Cape Adare
45.Cape Adare
 
71º18´28´´S, 170º11´29´´E
Northern extremity of Adare Peninsula, Victoria Land, Ross Sea
Latest Revision: 2021
 
Key Features
 
- Historic huts and associated artefacts from British Antarctic (Southern Cross) Expedition 1898-1900 led by Carsten E. Borchgrevink and from Scott’s Northern Party from the British Antarctic (Terra Nova) Expedition 1910-13.
- Designated Antarctic Specially Protected Area (ASPA) No. 159 – entry strictly by permit.
- Associated with several Historic Sites and Monuments
- Largest Adélie penguin colony in Antarctica
- Views of northern Victoria Land
 
Description
TOPOGRAPHY
Cape Adare is a prominent headland at the northern extremity of Adare Peninsula, Victoria Land, on the Borchgrevink Coast, Ross Sea. The historic huts are on the southern shore of Ridley Beach, a flat shingle foreland ~1.7 km southwest of Cape Adare. Borchgrevink’s huts were the first structures erected on the Antarctic continent. Ridley Beach and nearby slopes are occupied by the largest Adélie penguin (Pygoscelis adeliae) colony in Antarctica, in 2018 numbering around half a million pairs and identified as an Important Bird Area. Penguins nest around the historic huts and access is often constrained by the need to avoid disturbance. About 300 pairs of South polar skuas (Stercorarius maccormicki) breed above the penguin colony on Adare Peninsula.
FAUNA
Confirmed breeders: Adélie penguin, South Polar Skua.
Regularly haul out: Weddell seal.
Snow petrel (Pagodroma nivea), Southern giant petrel (Macronectes giganteus), Wilson’s storm petrel (Oceanites oceanicus) and Antarctic petrel (Thalassoica antarctica) have been observed in the area. Emperor (Aptenodytes forsteri) and King (A. patagonicus) penguins, and Leopard (Hydrurga leptonyx) Elephant (Mirounga leonina) and Antarctic fur (Arctocephalus gazella) seals may occasionally be seen.
FLORA

Various species of algae, crustose lichens and mosses are present on Adare Peninsula.
OTHER
Cape Adare is one of the principal areas of early human activity in Antarctica. The huts built by Borchgrevink’s Southern Cross Expedition 1898-1900 and Northern Party of Scott’s Terra Nova Expedition 1910-13 have been designated Historic Site and Monument (HSM) No. 22. Numerous artefacts remain in Borchgrevink’s huts and in the surrounding area, although Scott’s hut has collapsed. The Norwegian Nicolai Hanson died on Borchgrevink’s expedition and was the first person to be buried on the Antarctic continent in a grave that lies high on Adare Peninsula (HSM No. 23).
 
Visitor Impact
KNOWN IMPACTS
Disturbance to historic artefacts, cumulative effects of human presence in and around the huts. Disturbance to penguins, skuas and seals.
POTENTIAL IMPACTS
Damage to huts and associated artefacts, fire, importation of non-native species, litter, disturbance to conservation work and research, noise. Disturbance to sensitive fauna.
 
Landing Requirements
SHIPS*
Comments: No current limit on ships, although visitor numbers are subject to the limits set below.
Comments: * A ship is defined as a vessel that carries more than 12 passengers.
VISITORS
Comments: Entry into ASPA No. 159 is prohibited except in accordance with a permit which must be carried on site. All visitors to ASPA No. 159 must be accompanied by a trained guide. Consult the ASPA Management Plan and permit for further information. The historic hut is locked and a key must be obtained as part of the permitting process.
• Annual max. number of visitors into ASPA No. 159 (including guides): 2000 people.
• Max. number of people in ASPA No. 159 at any one time (including guides and those within the huts): 40 people.
• Max. number of people inside either of Borchgrevink’s huts at any one time (including guides): 4 people.
 
Visitor Area
LANDING AREA
The historic site at Ridley Beach may be accessed by small boat to the shoreline (Map 1) and thence access shall be on foot. Helicopter landings, overflights and vehicles are prohibited. Specific landing sites, paths or routes of access are not defined.
CLOSED AREA
• ASPAs are closed except to permit holders. Permit holders must be careful to adhere to the requirements and visitor numbers specified in the Management Plan for ASPA No. 159.
• Refuge huts for science / conservation support are closed to visitors.
• Access to Hanson’s grave (HSM No. 23) from Ridley Beach is steep, difficult and at times dangerous owing to ice and potential for rockfall. In summer these slopes are occupied by nesting penguins and closed to visitors.
GUIDED WALKING AREA
Visitors entering ASPA No. 159 must be accompanied by a guide. Particular care should be taken when walking around the area to avoid historic artefacts still present on the ground (which may be difficult to see). In summer, the presence of nesting penguins may constrain the areas available for walking.
FREE ROAMING AREA
Visitors may roam freely under supervision outside of the boundaries of ASPA No. 159 (Map 1) subject to the constraints imposed by breeding wildlife. The Visitor Code of Conduct (below) shall be followed at all times.
 
 
Visitor code of conduct
BEHAVIOUR ASHORE
  • All waste including human waste must be removed from the area.
  • Any newly discovered historic artefact(s) should be left in situ. Photograph the item(s), record the location by GPS or on a map, write a description and submit the information to the appropriate national authority as soon as practicable.
  • BEHAVIOUR WITHIN THE HISTORIC HUT: As many areas are cramped and artefacts can be accidentally bumped, do not take bags or wear packs inside, do not use ‘selfie’ sticks for photos, and avoid tripods or monopods when the maximum number of visitors (4) are in the hut at one time.
  • BEHAVIOUR WITHIN THE HISTORIC HUT: Do not touch, move or sit on any items or furniture in the hut – handling artefacts causes damage.
  • BEHAVIOUR WITHIN THE HISTORIC HUT: Only use tripods or monopods with flat bottomed rubber bases as opposed to those with metal spikes which can damage the hut floor.
  • BEHAVIOUR WITHIN THE HISTORIC HUT: Remove or dry before entry, any clothing made wet by sea water, and any sea ice crystals from boots, as salt particles accelerate corrosion of metal objects.
  • BEHAVIOUR WITHIN THE HISTORIC HUT: Smoking or the use of any naked flames in or around the historic hut is strictly prohibited, as fire is a major risk.
  • BEHAVIOUR WITHIN THE HISTORIC HUT: Thoroughly clean grit, dirt, guano, ice and snow from boots using the brushes provided before entering the hut to reduce floor abrasion.
  • BEHAVIOUR WITHIN THE HISTORIC HUT: Visits should be recorded in the visitor book provided. This allows data on times and numbers of visitors to be correlated with temperature and humidity data automatically logged inside the hut.
  • BEHAVIOUR WITHIN THE PROTECTED AREA: No plant or animal materials, food products or chemicals are to be taken into the protected area, and food is not to be consumed inside the hut or surrounding area.
  • BEHAVIOUR WITHIN THE PROTECTED AREA: Overflights / landings by remotely piloted aircraft systems (drones) are prohibited, except if authorised by permit by a national authority.
  • BEHAVIOUR WITHIN THE PROTECTED AREA: Take care not to tread on any artefacts, which may be difficult to see.
  • Do not approach wildlife closer than 5m (or viewing distance consistent with your national programme’s code of conduct), increase the distance if the animal is disturbed, and take particular care around nesting birds.
  • Keep noise to a minimum.
  • Nothing, except for waste, is to be taken from the area.
CAUTIONARY NOTES

  • Hazardous materials (eg. asbestos, chemicals, mould etc.) are present on site, and visitors enter at their own risk. Strictly avoid handling anything within the protected area and huts.

  • Be aware of the ASPA boundaries (see Map 1).

  • Be vigilant of changing ice / weather conditions, which can rapidly close off ship to shore access.
 
Fig. 1: Borchgrevink’s huts (HSM No. 22) on Ridley Beach, with Adare Peninsula beyond. Photo: C. Poirot, Antarctica NZ (12 Dec 2016).
 
Fig. 2: Borchgrevink’s living hut at Cape Adare. Photo: L. Meek, Antarctic Heritage Trust (NZ) (2015). Fig. 3: Inside Borchgrevink’s living hut – Photo: L. Meek, Antarctic Heritage Trust (NZ) (2015).
 
 
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