Last day of 2011!

2011 has been an amazing year for me. So much has happened, highlights including graduating from college, learning to walk again, and coming to Antarctica. So thankful to have everyone in my life that I do. Thank you all for making 2011 the best year yet. 2012 is going to bring even more to the table, I have a really good feeling about the next 365 days. :)

On my last day of 2011 I hiked to Castle Rock with a group of friends. The weather and views were absolutely stunning. As usual, we ended having more fun than we expected! Here are some pictures to prove it.

Fun/exposed hike!

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Glaciers are cool.

Yeah, lets put the little guy on the bottom!

Carnage.

Happy Camper!

I was fortunate enough to get enrolled in the snow survival course here in McMurdo. In short, this class teaches the basics on how to survive in the harsh conditions here if one were to ever get into that situation. We get to camp out, build walls, tents, and survival trenches. I learned lots of valuable skills, but most of all, I had a blast! I was lucky enough to take the class with a couple good friends and for the weather to be absolutely perfect! Here are some pictures from our adventure! There will soon be a fun video, keep your eye out..

Loaded up in the Delta

Our fearless leader "Fabio"

Building a wall to put our tents behind

Tools!

Gorgeous day

Craig doin' work on our palace!

Tim and Nate's snow cave!

This thing ended up being about 7' deep!

Castle Rock looking mysterious.

You think we are going to settle for just a trench? NOPE!

Masterpiece.

Mansion.

The morning after.

Tis the Season!

Merry Christmas to all from Antarctica! Sorry this is a little late, but I have been soo busy!! I really missed all of my friends and family this Christmas. It was my first time away from home for the holidays. Luckily I am around a great group of people that are like family to me. I am thankful to have all of them in my life and they made my Christmas one to remember.

Atarctic Terminal Operations crew!

Momma Bear Cindy

Santa, Danny, and I

UAV Carnage

About a week ago, this UAV (unmanned aerial vehical) arrived in all its beauty here on the Ice. I wish I new more about what they were surveying with it. I was able to snag a couple pictures of it yesterday. Lucky me, because today.... someone fat fingered the landing. Apparently it caused a bit of a bomb hole in the runway and left pieces all over the place. Caused a bit of chaos because a C-17 was inbound. They were about to get everything under control in time. Here are the before and after pics.

Inside Discovery Hut

Discovery Hut was built in 1902 by Robert Scott. All that was left there from the discovery expedition of 1901-1904 is still there and much of it is in suprising condition. Due to the low temperatures and dry climate, there is minimal rotting. There are numerous seal carcases still in the hut. There are also traces of anthrax and asbestos inside the hut. I had a great time looking around this place and taking pictures! I hope you enjoy them!

Carcases and spinal cords!

 

Checking out some writing on the walls.

Gear

Mmmmm

Blood n guts!

Hungry for a biscuit?