Capper Peak, Jenny Island, Antarctica!

I forget how many years ago Harry Capper and I connected, well over a decade and initially on LinkedIn, due to our shared (but no close relation) surname. We've kept in touch, over the years, and I was amazed to get this Facebook Message after he saw an Antarctic post I had shared:

Harry's Facebook Messenger Message (shared with permission)

Linda Capper and Capper Peak

Although I had done lots of research (I thought!) for my 2019 Antarctic trip I didn't know of Linda or her long career with the British Antarctic Survey:

Hi Robin,

I know how much Antarctica gets under your skin. I spent 39 years at British Antarctic Survey and was lucky to visit Antarctica 9 times. The longest period being 3 months. It is the most amazing continent.

Linda

Her contribution was marked with the naming of Capper Peak, Jenny Island (near the Rothera Research Station, British Antarctic Survey base), Antarctica in 2021:

ANTARCTIC PLACE-NAMES COMMITTEE | Tuesday 12th October 2021 | Minutes: apc-2102.pdf (antarctica.ac.uk)

7.5 New Place-name Proposal – Marguerite Bay [APC(21)16]
The name Capper Peak was accepted. It was emphasised that the award of the name recognises the significant and sustained contribution of the recipient and is not specifically linked to her upcoming retirement.

These recent stunning shots, by Andrew Fleming and British Antarctic Survey, are what prompted the message Harry shared:

Just had to post these stunning images of Capper Peak, Jenny Island, Antarctica. Dr Andrew Fleming filmed them this week. I continue to be thrilled that this special place is named after me. Andrew, from British Antarctic Survey, is involved in a NERC-NSF project looking at the potential impact of climate change on Crabeater Seals.
Jenny Capper | LinkedIn

Jenny Island, Antarctica

 

Capper Peak, Jenny Island, Antarctica

'In the neighbourhood'

Although I have been to Antarctica our voyage didn't get that far South. We sailed about 1,300km south from Ushuaia, Argentina and down the Antarctic Peninsular a bit beyond Port Lockroy and Gonzalez Videla Station. It is another 400km, maybe a day's sailing, from where we were to Jenny Island. However, given both are about 5,000km from my home in New Zealand I'm happy to say I've been 'in the neighbourhood'!

Ushuaia: (South America), Antarctic Peninsula: Port Lockroy and Gonzalez Videla Station (dots), Jenny Island (red pin)

PS: Andrew is also involved in a project "Developing AI and digital infrastructure for digital twinning of the polar regions", an interesting application of CAD/BIM and GIS.