Pine Island Glacier

I was lucky enough to get assigned to spend four days at a field camp known as Pine Island Glacier (PIG as we call it) in west Antarctica. My task was to help package up two helicopters that were slatted to come back to McMurdo via LC-130s. I couldn't have been more excited for this trip and it turned out to be an experience that I will never forget. The people at camp were amazing, food was fantastic, work was fun, and I got to see some really special things. PIG is probably the 2nd largest field camp this season and has been one with the highest priority. Last year they attempted to send two helicopters but were unsuccessful due to weather. This year, it went off without a hitch. They used the helicopters to fly out to numerous places on the glacier to conduct seismic tests to learn more about the glacier. PIG was also the main camp for a series of three drill sites on the glacier. Aside from preparing the helicopters to fly back to McMurdo, I also got the opportunity to help pull out the last drill camp. Everything went smoothly and we were successful in the first ever deep field on load of a helicopter. I suggest taking a look at these couple links to learn more about the area. I wish I could have stayed longer!

Rapid Retreat of the glacier

Wiki Info

PIG Crack

PIG Camp

Using the gantry to prep the helos

The Twin Otter

Crevassing

Melt pools

Exploring the tongue of the glacier

PIG Drill Camp C

What is takes to load in the deep field

Loading the last bird

View from the cockpit of an LC 130

In the heat of the summer.

Seriously... It has been crazy warm down here. Temps as high as 43F. It is pretty funny to see all of my fellow Coloradans dealing with temps in the negatives while I am working outside with my cut-off carhart overalls! The weather has been super great, but it does come with consequences. Things just aren't meant to be so warm down here. It has been causing some serious issues for work around here. The heat wave has managed to turn the airfield into a massive slush pit and the road to and from it, a bog from hell. I have nearly dug myself into a giant pit numerous times while loading and unloading LC-130s in a 40k Lbs + loader with monster truck tires. But the worst of it has been getting to and from the airfield, no wheeled vehicles can pass the last miles of the road near the airfield. We have resorted to hauling everything behind a Challenger on a giant piece of plastic. It is quite the spectacle! Here is a picture from the other day, we called it The Mother Load. There were 70+ people aboard!

The Mother Load

I have also been lucky enough to see a bunch of penguins lately. I don't think I will ever get tired of seeing these little guys. I sat and watched two Adelies play in the open water off of hut point, got followed through around the airfield, also got to see my first Emperor that wasn't molting. They are amazingly beautiful, really like nothing else.

Skua-Adelie face off

"Wait for me!"

Looking the part

Nice kicks

He wasn't sure what to think of my shorts

Awesome colors

The Adelie play pool

The heat is bringing more open water, I can't wait to see some whales.