Antarctic Royal Flush

I am one who likes to dive unique locations. In 2007, Antarctica became a natural choice for a gal who chooses the path less traveled. The original plan was for a dive charter with me and three others; if more divers wanted to join we’d open up a few spots. The insanity took hold and soon we had fourteen divers and a wait list!

Our group began prep dives at Lake Rawlings and Millbrook Quarry in Virginia. Then more practice dives at Mt. Storm, West Virginia and Bainbridge Quarry, Pennsylvania. Drysuit classes and cold water prep dives became a regular event making the annual ice diving course with Todd Smith in Alexandria Bay, New York a major prep mission for our southern continent dives. Gear being a major consideration, our drysuit of choice was the Dive Rite 905 along with Weazle Wear undergarments and the RG3000 reg with enviro seal or the Jetstream DR.

Enjoying a snorkel in the Antarctica Dori Phillips

A long trek including 38 hours of flights took us from Washington DC to Antarctica. A few hours after arriving, we boarded the Aleksey Maryshev, a 200 foot steel vessel in the southern-most port of the Americas. Complete with Russian crew, British guides and eighteen divers (fourteen from our group), a total of 42 passengers set sail on a three day wild ride through Drake Passage – a memory for sure! As the ice land masses of the Antarctic Peninsula came into view, we began a mad dash to set up our dive gear and change into our “Dive Rite Alphabet Suits.” You’ll note from this photo that we’re sized accordingly A through F, although member “F” and another “E” had already gone back to their cabins when this shot was snapped. A 905 Royal Flush! Dori Phillips

Penguins and leopard seals swam around us as we entered the water. Snorkeling seemed to capture the little birds the best, so Antarctica has become my favorite snorkel location. Yep, proof that this dive chic is not the average diver! It was an amazing trip and we’re returning tin 2011. A penguin poses for the camera Dori Phillips

Dori Phillips
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