In Pictures
A seal basks in the summer sun of the southern hemisphere [Picture: LA(Phot) Kelly Whybrow]
Marine Engineer Ben Bates on board HMS Endurance [Picture: LA(Phot) Kelly Whybrow]
Able Seaman Martin McGough on his first trip to the ice [Picture: LA(Phot) Kelly Whybrow]
HMS Endurance breaks through the ice north of James Ross Island [Picture: LA(Phot) Kelly Whybrow]
HMS Endurance's two Lynx helicopters are being used to fly scientific teams from the British Antarctic Survey to locations across the Antarctic Peninsula [Picture: LA(Phot) Kelly Whybrow]
HMS Endurance's two Lynx helicopters are being used to fly scientific teams from the British Antarctic Survey to locations across the Antarctic Peninsula [Picture: LA(Phot) Kelly Whybrow]
HMS Endurance's two Lynx helicopters are being used to fly scientific teams from the British Antarctic Survey to locations across the Antarctic Peninsula [Picture: LA(Phot) Kelly Whybrow]
A snow-plough is used to clear soft, loose snow and create a firm, level surface on the ice [Picture: LA(Phot) Kelly Whybrow]
Left to right: Air Engineering Technician (AET) Lenny Lenthal, Logistician Steph Maynard, Leading Aircrewman (Safety Equipment) Karl Wrightson and AET Wiggy Bennett admire a local Chinstrap penguin [Picture: LA(Phot) Kelly Whybrow]
HMS Endurance transits through the tricky entrance into Deception Island on the 13 January 2008 [Picture: LA(Phot) Kelly Whybrow]
HMS Endurance breaking through the ice North of James Ross Island, the ship is currently transferring scientists from the British Artarctic Survey to Mount Haddington [Picture: LA(Phot) Kelly Whybrow]
Breathtaking Antarctic scenery on route to Deception Island [Picture: LA(Phot) Kelly Whybrow]
One of HMS Endurance's Lynx helicopters flies its underslung load over a brilliant white Antarctic canvas [Picture: LA(Phot) Kelly Whybrow]
Observer Lieutenant Matt Boulind on board one of HMS Endurance's Lynx helicopters [Picture: LA(Phot) Kelly Whybrow]
HMS Endurance provides a colourful backdrop as this Chinstrap penguin strikes an apparently practised pose [Picture: LA(Phot) Kelly Whybrow]
Dinner jackets are obligatory at the penguin party [Picture: LA(Phot) Kelly Whybrow]