what emotions did the author experience on reaching antartica?

The first emotion of author was that of relief, as that was a peacefull place uneffected from the activities of mankind followed by that of great wonder. He was amazed at its immensity and its isolation. simply we can say that that place was increadibly beautiful and pure which relieved the author.

 the author was facinated by the beauty and then had an epiphany that this world is heading towards an end due to the lifestyle he felt sad for this. in the end before leaving he hoped that the students would make a difference.