It's vessel season!

It's late in the season, the temperatures are dropping, the ice has opened up in the McMurdo sound, the boats have arrived, and new wildlife is playing in our back yard. This means brittle days, big water, giant boats, and majestic whales! I have been doing my best to get out and enjoy my last week here in Antarctica. I have seen tons of Minke's and even saw my first Killer Whale the other night. This place is breath taking. I wish I had some whle pictures to share with you, but you will have to settle for a few shots of the boats.

The tanker arriving out my dorm window



McMurdo is a thirsty town, the tanker delivering us approx. 7 million gallons of fuel.




Some pipes





The cargo vessel, supplying us with everything from TP to high tech science gadgets



Airfield Duty


My new camera inspired me to take some more pictures of work at the airfield. It is end of the summer season here in McMurdo, and things are beginning to shut down. We said goodbye to the last LC-130 of the season just the other day. Just a couple more weeks of flights before McMurdo will be flight free for the winter. Here is the view from my office at the airfield..



Ready for the C17




A beauty and a beast






Loading the biggest carbon fiber box I've ever seen!




Heavy metal




The last LC 130 giving us a nice fly-by



New toy!

I finally got the new camera that I have been patiently(hardly..) awaiting! Here are a couple pictures from a beautiful saturday afternoon here in McMurdo.

First frame



Open water in the McMurdo Sound




Skua attack






About time to get off this frozen rock!

You heard it right, I have just about 1 week left. The season sure has flown by. The temperatures have dropped considerably and the sun has begun to drop near the horizon. We had a first batch of fresh food in over two and half months today, and I finally got my new camera that I have been patiently waiting for. Pictures from my new camera soon to come! It has been a while since I shared a couple pictures, so here are a couple from the past few weeks.

Nathaniel B Palmer research vessel

My cargo team, our awkward family photo...

Doing some work with the Kress at the LDB facility

43,000lb mill-van equipped with generators

Load'in me up!

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.

My Christmas weekend!

The holidays just aren't same being away from my family. I miss them so much. I know we are all together in our hearts! My Christmas at the bottom of the world was one to remember this year. I was transitioning back to day shift over the holiday, it is going to be nice to see more faces around town. We had our town Christmas party to start off the weekend, it was a blast! I danced my ass off. Christmas Eve started off with a visit from 25 Adelle penguins. That night we had MAAG. I forgot what it stands for, but it is basically an art show with work that people have created down here. This year they also incorporated a cabaret. There is some serious talent down here. Christmas day was jam-packed with good stuff. Stated out with a White Elephant gift exchange with a bunch of my co-workers, I made away with a super trashy romance novel.. haha Then I went on a hike out to Castle Rock with my room mate Kyle, and a handful of people. The weather was iffy at the beginning but turned to be one of the nicest days yet. We made out way around the Castle Rock loop and arrived at the Kiwi ski hill! We lucked out and scored some gear and a bunch of laps on their rope-tow! This was a pretty huge deal for me, first day back on skis in over 2 years. Felt so good to get back to the sport that I have been so passionate about my whole life. Then Kyle and I hitched a ride up the hill in a rad Tucker snow cat. Finished the day off with some much needed sleep. I hope your holiday is one to remember as well!

 Merry Christmas!

The best department on station!

Wildlife! Adelles and Seals

The tree

Kiwi ski hill

Skiwi!

My roomie!

Merica'

Back on skis! Thanks Alasdair Turner for the amazing picture!