In December 2016, a team of 76 women spent just under three weeks in Antarctica as part of the largest-ever female expedition to the continent.
Homeward Bound 2016 —
In December 2016, a team of 76 women spent just under three weeks in Antarctica as part of the largest-ever female expedition to the continent.
Courtesy Carol Devine
The initiative -- Homeward Bound -- is part of a ten-year mission to develop 1,000 female leaders in science in order to influence policy and decision making.
Homeward Bound 2016 —
The initiative -- Homeward Bound -- is part of a ten-year mission to develop 1,000 female leaders in science in order to influence policy and decision making.
Courtesy Deborah Pardo
The 76 women on board were from all over the world with various backgrounds in science -- ranging in profession from marine ecologists to doctors, physicists and astronomers.
Homeward Bound 2016 —
The 76 women on board were from all over the world with various backgrounds in science -- ranging in profession from marine ecologists to doctors, physicists and astronomers.
Courtesy Carol Devine
Inbetween exploring the southernmost continent and learning about the science and impact of climate change, the participants received intense leadership training.
Homeward Bound 2016 —
Inbetween exploring the southernmost continent and learning about the science and impact of climate change, the participants received intense leadership training.
Courtesy Deborah Pardo
Population Modeler Deborah Pardo says she felt compelled to protect the planet after giving birth, and applied to be part of Homeward Bound. In this photo she is standing on ice, an experience she admits was frightening, as the ice quite literally cracks beneath your feet.
Walking on ice —
Population Modeler Deborah Pardo says she felt compelled to protect the planet after giving birth, and applied to be part of Homeward Bound. In this photo she is standing on ice, an experience she admits was frightening, as the ice quite literally cracks beneath your feet.
Courtesy Deborah Pardo
The expedition involved a number of landings at different sites. Here at Orne Harbor, Pardo recalls how a few of the women slid on their bottoms down the hill back to the ship. "It was so great to laugh that much after all the concentration on board," she says.
Orne Harbor shenanigans —
The expedition involved a number of landings at different sites. Here at Orne Harbor, Pardo recalls how a few of the women slid on their bottoms down the hill back to the ship. "It was so great to laugh that much after all the concentration on board," she says.
Courtesy Deborah Pardo
During the voyage the women encountered three species of penguins which all responded differently to their changing environment. While some species have rapidly declined, others are able to migrate and adapt to the consequences of the warmer waters.<br />
Climate change up close —
During the voyage the women encountered three species of penguins which all responded differently to their changing environment. While some species have rapidly declined, others are able to migrate and adapt to the consequences of the warmer waters.
Courtesy Deborah Pardo
Often the women would find themselves in complete awe of their surroundings. "Antarctica is the perfect place to reflect on your learning, and on the beauty of our planet, and how much we want -- and need -- to do something to protect it," says Pardo.
Antarctic backdrop —
Often the women would find themselves in complete awe of their surroundings. "Antarctica is the perfect place to reflect on your learning, and on the beauty of our planet, and how much we want -- and need -- to do something to protect it," says Pardo.
Courtesy Deborah Pardo
Surrounded by such peace and beauty, a number of women practiced yoga on the ship, and some -- including Heidi Steltzer pictured here -- even practiced out in nature.
Yoga in Antarctica —
Surrounded by such peace and beauty, a number of women practiced yoga on the ship, and some -- including Heidi Steltzer pictured here -- even practiced out in nature.
Courtesy Deborah Pardo
One of the most magical moments for Pardo was a zodiac cruise between icebergs. "We had no words to describe the beauty, scale, sounds, colors, shapes of the icebergs we saw and the ambiance we felt," she says.<br />
Cruising between icebergs —
One of the most magical moments for Pardo was a zodiac cruise between icebergs. "We had no words to describe the beauty, scale, sounds, colors, shapes of the icebergs we saw and the ambiance we felt," she says.
Courtesy Deborah Pardo
Landing on Deception Island was difficult owing to the adverse ice, sea and weather conditions. During their voyage the Homeward Bound team were lucky enough to land on this ring-shaped island, which is in fact the top of a volcano.
Deception Island's Antarctic volcano —
Landing on Deception Island was difficult owing to the adverse ice, sea and weather conditions. During their voyage the Homeward Bound team were lucky enough to land on this ring-shaped island, which is in fact the top of a volcano.
Courtesy Homeward Bound
On Deception Island, Pardo fondly remembers the "highways of penguins" following one another along certain paths. It's easy to tell which direction they're going depending on whether their black or white side is visible, she explains.
Volcanic Crater at Deception Island —
On Deception Island, Pardo fondly remembers the "highways of penguins" following one another along certain paths. It's easy to tell which direction they're going depending on whether their black or white side is visible, she explains.
Courtesy Deborah Pardo
Crabeater seals are the most abundant seal species in the world. Pardo jokes that this particular seal was surprised to see a zodiac full of laughing women staring at him.
Crabeater seal —
Crabeater seals are the most abundant seal species in the world. Pardo jokes that this particular seal was surprised to see a zodiac full of laughing women staring at him.
Courtesy Deborah Pardo
Unlike crabeater seals, weddell seals are extremely placid and can be approached without causing much apparent stress. This one seemed quite happy to pose for a photograph.
Weddel Seal —
Unlike crabeater seals, weddell seals are extremely placid and can be approached without causing much apparent stress. This one seemed quite happy to pose for a photograph.
Courtesy Deborah Pardo
While the Homeward Bound team never managed to cross the Lemaire Channel as there was too much ice, they were still able to enjoy the magnificence of the Gerlache Strait with mountains as high as 3,000 meters.<br />
Lemaire Channel —
While the Homeward Bound team never managed to cross the Lemaire Channel as there was too much ice, they were still able to enjoy the magnificence of the Gerlache Strait with mountains as high as 3,000 meters.
Courtesy Deborah Pardo
Landings often meant walking on sea ice. In this instance, the ice was about two-meters thick. Pardo recalls it being extremely quiet, with nothing but these crabeater seals and their ship -- The Ushuaia -- in the distance.
Quiet landings —
Landings often meant walking on sea ice. In this instance, the ice was about two-meters thick. Pardo recalls it being extremely quiet, with nothing but these crabeater seals and their ship -- The Ushuaia -- in the distance.
Courtesy Deborah Pardo
"There were so many whales around us, cruising around, jumping and feeding on krill," explains Pardo. "I was in awe, nothing mattered more than finding ways to collectively solve our planet's biggest problems."<br />
Humpback whales —
"There were so many whales around us, cruising around, jumping and feeding on krill," explains Pardo. "I was in awe, nothing mattered more than finding ways to collectively solve our planet's biggest problems."
Courtesy Deborah Pardo
"These icebergs were 40 -60 meters high, 200 meters deep, thousands of years old," says Pardo. "So peaceful, but so strong at the same time. It was very cold but most of us were standing outside just staring and hallucinating that it was so stunning."
11pm in Antarctica —
"These icebergs were 40 -60 meters high, 200 meters deep, thousands of years old," says Pardo. "So peaceful, but so strong at the same time. It was very cold but most of us were standing outside just staring and hallucinating that it was so stunning."
Courtesy Deborah Pardo