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ZEGRAHM & ECO EXPEDITIONS — Giving You The World 1-800-628-8747 or 206-285-4000 |
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Home > Press Release |
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Press Release |
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For Immediate ReleaseUntamed Adventure Awaits in the Lands of Fire and IceSEATTLE, WA — It's wild, untamed and full of seething volcanoes, lumbering bears and giant sea eagles. Admittedly, it's not for everyone — particularly the pampered — but for those who crave remote places, unmatched wildlife encounters, and the chance to see some of the world's most beautiful (and active) volcanoes, the lands of Fire & Ice are hard to beat. In June and July of 2001, Zegrahm Expeditions will sail through these remote and remarkable lands aboard the Clipper Odyssey, offering two separate (and combinable) journeys of exploration through the Kuril Islands, the Kamchatka Peninsula and Alaska's Aleutian Island chain. The first leg of the journey will explore the Kurils, a magnificent archipelago known for its smoking volcanoes and rich wildlife, sailing on to the recently-opened Kamchatka Peninsula, where the mighty Steller's sea eagle, largest bird of prey in the world, soars amid breathtaking volcanic peaks. The journey's second leg will get underway with onshore explorations of the Kamchatka Peninsula, home to some 300 volcanoes, of which 29 are decidedly active. Thunderous explosions, dramatic lava flows, clouds of ash and dust and smoking craters are commonplace in this cold corner pocket of the Pacific Ring of Fire. Here, passengers can enjoy Zodiac explorations of the bird-rich Zhupanova River, as well as an optional helicopter excursion to the Valley of the Geysers, a magnificent hotbed of geothermal activity with enough hot springs, mud kettles, mini-volcanoes and erupting geysers to rival Yellowstone National Park. Sailing on to the Commander Islands, the ship will be welcomed by members of the Aleut tribe who will perform traditional dances and share their unique folklore. This history and culturally-rich area is also a biosphere reserve harboring millions of tufted puffins, a large population of sea otters, and some of the largest northern fur seal rookeries in the world. Discovered by explorer Vitus Bering in 1741, these islands were once home to astronomical numbers of wildlife, including the Steller's sea cow, now extinct. Bering, along with half of his crew, died in this remote island wilderness; a small cross marks his gravesite at Commander Bay. Departing the Commanders, the Clipper Odyssey will hopscotch along the Aleutian Island chain, which stretches in an arc a thousand miles long across the Bering Sea. Each of these 124 islands is the summit of an underwater volcano and nearly all are part of the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge. This extraordinary land is home to 10 to 30 million seabirds including tufted and horned puffins, Laysan albatross, and multiple species of cormorants, guillemots, shearwaters, auklets, and fulmars. Land and marine mammals are no less abundant with brown bear, fox, rabbit, sea otter, fur seal, northern and Steller's sea lion, Dall's porpoise, orca, Minke and beaked whale. Even the rare blue whale has been seen in these nutrient-rich waters. The ship will spend five days exploring this starkly beautiful archipelago. Each day, passengers will Zodiac across slate blue seas to far-flung isles occupying the dreams of many a naturalist. Stops include Massacre Bay on Attu, where rusting Quonset huts and spent cartridge shells bear poignant testament to the only land battle fought on North American soil during WWII, and the Andreanof Islands, home to an unusual and hauntingly lovely dwarfed flora. With Laysan albatross following in her wake and porpoises leaping at her bow, the Clipper Odyssey will sail for the Alaska peninsula, stopping along the way to explore Aleut fishing villages, ancient petrified forests, and majestic cliffs and columnar sea stacks lively with bird species. As always, onboard lecturers will provide valuable insight into the wildlife, history, cultures and mysteries found in this exciting and beautiful land. Fire & Ice Expedition-At-A-Glance
Note to editors: Artwork available upon request. |
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