Starting from the French scientific base on the Adélie Coast of East Antarctica, Laurent Ballesta and his team are ready to dive under the ice.

Sinking was done through a hole whose ice was about 10 meters thick.

“Grabbing the safety rope, I pull myself up inch by inch, but my shoulders get stuck. Suddenly I’m stunned by a sharp blow to the head: Cédric Gentil, one of my dive buddies, is trying to dig me out, and his shovel has struck my skull. Finally a hand grabs mine and hauls me into the air. Today’s dive is over—but it’s only one of 32.” Ballesta said.

Be astonished by the following photos

Original article was posted by Laurent Ballesta on National Geographic Magazine.