Monthly Archives: October 2014

FAA jet inspecting the ice runway.

FAA jet inspecting the ice runway.

Mt Erebus

Mt Erebus

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Hiking up to Arrival Heights

Hiking up to Arrival Heights

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Seal Pup

Seal Pup

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We finally got our Generator back today and have power.

We finally got our Generator back today and have power.

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Digging out drill camp.  We have finally gotten a break in the weather (rumor has it that there is another storm due in tonight at midnight).

Digging out drill camp. We have finally gotten a break in the weather (rumor has it that there is another storm due in tonight at midnight).

The wood dump.  Another place we occasionally go dumpster diving.

The wood dump. Another place we occasionally go dumpster diving.

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I walked home with this cardboard robot from the Halloween party...His name is Awesome-O (its a South Park robot)

I walked home with this cardboard robot from the Halloween party…His name is Awesome-O (its a South Park robot)

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McMurdo's fleet of snowmobiles

McMurdo’s fleet of snowmobiles

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This is either a mass spectrometer or a time machine.  Either way its pretty impressive.  Also noteworthy; its made in Massachusetts.

This is either a mass spectrometer or a time machine. Either way its pretty impressive. Also noteworthy; its made in Massachusetts.

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Trans Antarctic Mountains

Trans Antarctic Mountains

"Highway 1"-also the hallway to the galley

“Highway 1”-also the hallway to the galley

I hang my coat on the same hook everyday.  There are usually a lot more coats than this in the coat room.

I hang my coat on the same hook everyday. There are usually a lot more coats than this in the coat room.

Stairs up to the galley

Stairs up to the galley

I wash my hands in one of these two about 90 times per month to keep from getting the "crud" (sickness).

I wash my hands in one of these two about 90 times per month to keep from getting the “crud” (sickness).

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This is what my nephew Parker would look like in Antarctica

This is what my nephew Parker would look like in Antarctica


The Return of the Sun

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After 5 days of storms the sun has returned.  We have yet to complete a full day of outdoor work due to weather.  Hopefully tomorrow we can get outside all day.

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The Beverly Hilldrillers


Fighting the Weather

 

 

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We have had unseasonably poor weather, even for Antarctica this year.  Since the 18th we haven’t had good enough weather to do much more than shovel out all of our drifted equipment.  Above is a picture in town in Condition 1 weather.

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Drifts covering our drill sled.

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Even more drifts to shovel

Even more drifts to shovel

More drifts to shovel

More drifts to shovel

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Inside the Arctic Oven

Inside the Arctic Oven

Towing our truck back to town.

Towing our truck back to town.

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Out the Window

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Part of coming to Antarctica every season is taking safety and training classes…lots of them.  The Cold Weather survival course is taught by some pretty experienced mountaineers.  Many of them guide on Denali in the off season.

 

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Snowmobile training class

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These used to be seals

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Antarctic Dinosaurs

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Our temporary drill camp staged until we finish repairs and testing.

Our temporary drill camp staged until we finish repairs and testing.

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A look into our generator

A look into our generator

McMurdo's Fueling Station

McMurdo’s Fueling Station

Our 50 KW generator that powers the drill camp didn't fair so well over the winter.  Its is entirely filled with densely packed snow.  Today, we had it picked off the traversable sled and moved up into a warm building to melt.

Our 50 KW generator that powers the drill camp didn’t fair so well over the winter. Its is entirely filled with densely packed snow. Today, we had it picked off the traversable sled and moved up into a warm building to melt.


Storm!

Today we had the real deal Antarctica.  We started off the day working on the drill.  It was a bit cloudy and cold but didn’t seem to be all that worrisome.

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Within a matter of minutes we had 30-40 mph winds and white out conditions.  We were forced to pack up camp and trundle on back inside for a safety stand down.  Station declared condition 1 weather which is not safe to be out working in.   IMG_0004

White Out

White Out

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View of the Chapel with the Trans Antarctic range in the background

View of the Chapel with the Trans Antarctic range in the background

Part of the library collection in Crary Lab

Part of the library collection in Crary Lab

2014-2015 Field Camp Locations

2014-2015 Field Camp Locations

Setting up our shelter on the sea ice

Setting up our shelter on the sea ice

Arctic Oven

Arctic Oven

Commuting to work

Commuting from work


Out The Window

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