Breakwind Gap

Breakwind Gap is a jagged notch between two peaks in Breakwind Ridge, a mountain ridge in the north of South Georgia, close to Fortuna Bay.

The notch was the gap needed by Shackleton and his team to cross the ridge on their traverse of South Georgia seeking rescue for his stranded men in 1916: the notch was passed by Shackleton, Worsley and Crean on 19 May, before their difficult descent to Fortuna Bay. The feature was described by Worsley as 'the gap left when a tooth has been drawn'.

Today the Breakwind Gap is an important landmark on the Shackleton Commemorative Route.

Location

• Location map: 54°8’50"S, 36°50’43"W

References

• Gazetteer and Map of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands: Breakwind Gap