Only Hannah Point is visited.
Rating: *
Why Visit?
Most people who visit Livingston Island head straight for Hannah Point, but it is a big island, and there are many more places to visit than just Hannah. Livingston has some of the most beautiful glaciers around, and if you are skiing or climbing, they will attract you. There are also a few out of the way locations, such as the small Bulgarian and Spanish bases, that might be worth a quick call on the way past.
Where is it?
At 73 km (45 mi) long, Livingston is the second largest of the South Shetland Islands, it is in the south west of the island chain, directly north of Graham Land.
Challenges?
Livingston is definitely exposed to the Drake Passage and the wild wind, waves and weather often found out there. Expect it to be rough, and be surprised if it is not.
Wildlife
Hannah Point is full of wildlife, but most of the rest of the island is covered in ice, with no wildlife around.
Human activities
The first known sighting of Livingston was in 1819, by a British ship that got a little too far south when rounding Cape Horn. However, the area was of significant commercial interest to sealing companies, and by 1821, over 50 American and British sealing vessels, with over 1,000 men, were already in the South Shetlands, many of those on Livingston Island. It is quite possible some of these ships had been returning to the South Shetlands to hunt seals for more than three summers.
Although the origin of Livingston Island’s name is unclear, it certainly has nothing to do with Dr David Livingstone, the famous Scottish explorer of Africa.
It is a bleak and miserable location, with very bad weather, and beyond a few hearty Spaniards and Bulgarians, most people bypass Livingston for more sheltered locations.
Photos, Voting and more coming soon!