Pic of the day....
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Helo Offshore New Harbor
In about an hour's time I will be on my very first helicopter ride! Shakira and I are the last to leave McMurdo for the Offshore New Harbor camp. Since the first team left on Monday I am sure they are pretty situated by now. I can't even imagine what the first couple of days have been like for them. I am excited to be reunited with the rest of the team and of course anxious to see what life on the ice is like. Let's just hope I don't lose my lunch or my head on the helicopter ride there!
Pic of the day....
Pic of the day....
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
'Ice on the Move' Videoconference
Today we had our 3rd week of videoconferences. This week's topic was 'Ice on the Move'. Grad student/gravity expert/knows a thing or two about ice, Kirsty Tinto co hosted with Shakira.
We decided to change things up a bit and broadcast from outside instead of in the Crary Library. Needing internet, electricity and not frozen cables we set up shop on a loading dock at Crary. The equipment and myself were inside while Shakira and Kirsty were outside. Our goal was to try and give the students the feeling that we are actually in Antarctica and not just in a library. So Shakira and Kirsty suited up in their extreme weather gear (ECW) and showed the students just how cold it really was.
Location, location, location. Science Cargo Loading dock at Crary.
Kirsty answering a question.
Talking to kids via Polycom Mobile Responder.
Shakira and Kirsty having a good time.
Eric on camera and freezing his toes off.
Shakira and Kirsty's experiment. Which will freeze first, salt water or fresh water?
The team post videoconference and pre gng conference call. I turn around for a minute and this is what happens....Slackers....
We decided to change things up a bit and broadcast from outside instead of in the Crary Library. Needing internet, electricity and not frozen cables we set up shop on a loading dock at Crary. The equipment and myself were inside while Shakira and Kirsty were outside. Our goal was to try and give the students the feeling that we are actually in Antarctica and not just in a library. So Shakira and Kirsty suited up in their extreme weather gear (ECW) and showed the students just how cold it really was.
Location, location, location. Science Cargo Loading dock at Crary.
Kirsty answering a question.
Talking to kids via Polycom Mobile Responder.
Shakira and Kirsty having a good time.
Eric on camera and freezing his toes off.
Shakira and Kirsty's experiment. Which will freeze first, salt water or fresh water?
The team post videoconference and pre gng conference call. I turn around for a minute and this is what happens....Slackers....
Monday, October 27, 2008
Unit One Out
Finally, the weather is looking picture perfect so unit one of our team is heading out to the Offshore New Harbor Camp. Today seven people will be doing a 5-7 hour traverse by snowmobile and piston bully. Two teams are left at McMurdo. One being me and team education who will head out by helicopter on Wednesday and Thursday and the other being team Thundersled. Team Thudersled, has been working night and day trying to finish construction of the house like structure that will be the main work space for the seismic study. They will traverse out to camp once construction is complete which will hopefully be any day now.
For now i am working on editing of our video footage and preparing for tomorrow night's videoconference. Hopefully i will have some videos posted today.
Because pictures are fun.....
My very first iceberg! It's a bit locked up by ice though.
My way cool wolverine gloves to protect by digits from the bite. I don't think any animals were hurt in the process of making my gloves but I can't be too sure.
For now i am working on editing of our video footage and preparing for tomorrow night's videoconference. Hopefully i will have some videos posted today.
Because pictures are fun.....
My very first iceberg! It's a bit locked up by ice though.
My way cool wolverine gloves to protect by digits from the bite. I don't think any animals were hurt in the process of making my gloves but I can't be too sure.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
The Bite
For those of you interested or concerned about my frostbite....
This is it. I have an ET finger tip. Comes in handy to call home.
This is it. I have an ET finger tip. Comes in handy to call home.
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Antarctic STORM STORM STORM!!!!
The storm is still a brewing. It's been snowing on and off and there is very low visibility out on the ice.
No one from the team has been able to leave. Something new every hour of every day.
The latest rumor for me is that am going to stay back till Thursday because of our videoconferences.
Here are some pics from the first VC (videoconference).
For this week's VC we will be broadcasting from outside at McMurdo! We are going to set up on a loading dock at Crary (science building). We are hoping that this will help give everyone back in the U.S the feeling that we are really here. Let's hope for good weather.
No one from the team has been able to leave. Something new every hour of every day.
The latest rumor for me is that am going to stay back till Thursday because of our videoconferences.
Here are some pics from the first VC (videoconference).
For this week's VC we will be broadcasting from outside at McMurdo! We are going to set up on a loading dock at Crary (science building). We are hoping that this will help give everyone back in the U.S the feeling that we are really here. Let's hope for good weather.
Friday, October 24, 2008
The not so happy camper and the most beautiful place on earth
Well folks today I should have been off to the Offshore New Harbor camp but due to inclement weather we did not depart. So here I am still at McMurdo.
Over the course of this past week I have battled the harsh weather and have seen some of the most beautiful landscapes on this planet.
To start, I spent last Friday and Saturday at Happy Camper School. Happy Camper is a two-day survival crash course. A group of 20 people are taken out onto the sea ice to learn the skills necessary to survive outside in Antarctica. In other words they stick us outside with a few tools and see how we fare....and I did not fare well.
We were driven 20-30 minutes from McMurdo to the Happy Camper training grounds. From the moment we stepped outside survival was not a game or a topic of discussion it was very very real. The temperature was well below freezing. Humans are surely not built to endure that sort of weather. So there we were learning how to pitch tents, make water from ice, cut ice blocks, build shelters all while trying to stay warm. Although really the two go hand in hand. You have to move around to stay warm. I tried the best I could to move around and help the team with the various tasks but with 3 layers of clothes, a very large coat, huge boots, foggy goggles and large gloves my coordination was completely off. I felt like the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man. To say the least I was not the most helpful member of the team. Lucky for me I was with a lot of people that were very outdoorsy and experienced in the way of cold weather activities. If it weren’t for them I surely would not have survived.
The team manager to get all the tents up and make hot water for hot drinks and our freeze-dried dinner. After all of the chores were done all I wanted to do was crawl into my sleeping bag and get some sleep. As I lay in my sack wearing every article of clothing I had and hugging a hot water bottle between my legs I noticed I couldn't feel my fingers. I tried warming them up and slowly regained some sensation. I wiggling around to get warm but to no avail. I was absolutely bone chilled cold and could not sleep. All I could do was sing "Moving Right Along" from the Muppet Movie over and over again in my head as I shivered and counted down the hours. As soon as I heard our 6 AM wake up call I was up and out. I had just survived the hardest night of my short life. I felt cold like no one should ever feel. It is beyond the realm of the definition of the word.
We broke down camp and headed to the heated hut where we were spending part of happy caper day 2. As i sat in the hit I was overcome with joy by the warmth but something was terribly wrong. I still couldn't feel most of my fingers. I kept working on them but they were numb particularly my right ring finger. It was then that I realized that I had the bite... frostbite.
I didn't take any pictures because it is not something I want to remember. All you need to know is that is went from looking normal just numb to swollen and hard to black to a big blister. Right now it is still a big blister. My typing without my ringer finger has improved significantly over the past week though.
Yes, being cold and getting frostbite was not the most comfortable experience but in the midst of it all the site of Mount Erebus smoking right before my eyes was breathtaking.
After a day of rest we hit the ice again this time for Sea Ice School. Sea Ice School is a one-day course in which you examine the ice for cracks, take measurements and learn about the nature of Sea Ice. We spent the day driving around the ice searching for cracks and ended the day with a trip to an ice cave.
The ice cave is probably one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. We climbed up a wall of ice and crawled into the cave through a small opening. After passing though a tunnel like entrance way we emerged into a room of glowing blue ice crystals. Think Superman just a bit smaller.
From my short amount of time here I can tell you that being out in the harsh weather can be completely awful but at the same time the landscape can bring icy tears to your eyes.
Over the course of this past week I have battled the harsh weather and have seen some of the most beautiful landscapes on this planet.
To start, I spent last Friday and Saturday at Happy Camper School. Happy Camper is a two-day survival crash course. A group of 20 people are taken out onto the sea ice to learn the skills necessary to survive outside in Antarctica. In other words they stick us outside with a few tools and see how we fare....and I did not fare well.
We were driven 20-30 minutes from McMurdo to the Happy Camper training grounds. From the moment we stepped outside survival was not a game or a topic of discussion it was very very real. The temperature was well below freezing. Humans are surely not built to endure that sort of weather. So there we were learning how to pitch tents, make water from ice, cut ice blocks, build shelters all while trying to stay warm. Although really the two go hand in hand. You have to move around to stay warm. I tried the best I could to move around and help the team with the various tasks but with 3 layers of clothes, a very large coat, huge boots, foggy goggles and large gloves my coordination was completely off. I felt like the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man. To say the least I was not the most helpful member of the team. Lucky for me I was with a lot of people that were very outdoorsy and experienced in the way of cold weather activities. If it weren’t for them I surely would not have survived.
The team manager to get all the tents up and make hot water for hot drinks and our freeze-dried dinner. After all of the chores were done all I wanted to do was crawl into my sleeping bag and get some sleep. As I lay in my sack wearing every article of clothing I had and hugging a hot water bottle between my legs I noticed I couldn't feel my fingers. I tried warming them up and slowly regained some sensation. I wiggling around to get warm but to no avail. I was absolutely bone chilled cold and could not sleep. All I could do was sing "Moving Right Along" from the Muppet Movie over and over again in my head as I shivered and counted down the hours. As soon as I heard our 6 AM wake up call I was up and out. I had just survived the hardest night of my short life. I felt cold like no one should ever feel. It is beyond the realm of the definition of the word.
We broke down camp and headed to the heated hut where we were spending part of happy caper day 2. As i sat in the hit I was overcome with joy by the warmth but something was terribly wrong. I still couldn't feel most of my fingers. I kept working on them but they were numb particularly my right ring finger. It was then that I realized that I had the bite... frostbite.
I didn't take any pictures because it is not something I want to remember. All you need to know is that is went from looking normal just numb to swollen and hard to black to a big blister. Right now it is still a big blister. My typing without my ringer finger has improved significantly over the past week though.
Yes, being cold and getting frostbite was not the most comfortable experience but in the midst of it all the site of Mount Erebus smoking right before my eyes was breathtaking.
After a day of rest we hit the ice again this time for Sea Ice School. Sea Ice School is a one-day course in which you examine the ice for cracks, take measurements and learn about the nature of Sea Ice. We spent the day driving around the ice searching for cracks and ended the day with a trip to an ice cave.
The ice cave is probably one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. We climbed up a wall of ice and crawled into the cave through a small opening. After passing though a tunnel like entrance way we emerged into a room of glowing blue ice crystals. Think Superman just a bit smaller.
From my short amount of time here I can tell you that being out in the harsh weather can be completely awful but at the same time the landscape can bring icy tears to your eyes.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
McMurdo in Pictures
The folloing pics are from McMurdo Station in Antarctica.
Most building are referred to by a number or abbreviation.
"155" is where i live and is also where the galley (dining hall), gift shop/general store, computer lab and some offices are located.
This is the living room section of my room which i share with Kirsty who is doing our gravity measurements for the expadition and Morgan who is on her was to the South Pole to work in Communications.
This pic was taken on my first night. Morgan now occupies the top bunk and Kirsty is on the other side of the room.
Dormitory buildings.
A bad ass looking fire truck.
The medical center. Just in case you were wondering they don't have a morgue. They keep bodies in the real deal ice.
Some buildings have freezer doors.
This is Crary where all the science happens! All of the science grantees have offices and labs here. We are also doing our videoconferences from the library of this building which has an amazing view. It's one of the nicer newer buildings here.
This building is referred to as the Chalet. The National Science Foundation (NSF) operates out of this building.
That's the abridged town tour folks. Things i left our are the 2 bars, a bowling alley, firehouse and lots of other workie buildings.
Most building are referred to by a number or abbreviation.
"155" is where i live and is also where the galley (dining hall), gift shop/general store, computer lab and some offices are located.
This is the living room section of my room which i share with Kirsty who is doing our gravity measurements for the expadition and Morgan who is on her was to the South Pole to work in Communications.
This pic was taken on my first night. Morgan now occupies the top bunk and Kirsty is on the other side of the room.
Dormitory buildings.
A bad ass looking fire truck.
The medical center. Just in case you were wondering they don't have a morgue. They keep bodies in the real deal ice.
Some buildings have freezer doors.
This is Crary where all the science happens! All of the science grantees have offices and labs here. We are also doing our videoconferences from the library of this building which has an amazing view. It's one of the nicer newer buildings here.
This building is referred to as the Chalet. The National Science Foundation (NSF) operates out of this building.
That's the abridged town tour folks. Things i left our are the 2 bars, a bowling alley, firehouse and lots of other workie buildings.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Sunday, October 12, 2008
New Zealand, First Flight and McMurdo
After around 35 hours of traveling i finally made it to New Zealand. We arrived at night to the Windsor B&B. The next morning at breakfast we were served up a lot of gossip. Due to bad weather at McMurdo flights were not landing. Some people had been in Christchurch for a week waiting to fly out or in some cases boomeranging (flying out but having the plane turn around and return to Christchurch). In one case the plane circled around McMurdo and then flew back to Christchurch. The thought of staying a while in Christchurch sounded good to me. It would give Eric (our shooter) and I some much needed time to do some shooting and planning and maybe i would actually get to see a bit of Christchurch. The thought of flying out and having to return to Christchurch.... not so pleasant.
That afternoon we headed back to the airport to the US Antarctic program's CDC (Clothing Distribution Center). At the CDC we were given our gear to try on for size and check for damage.
"Big Red" and other Parkas in the clothing storage facility.
I was issued the hot white boots called "Bunny Boots"
While we were there we were given the word that we would actually fly out the next day. What??? I just got here! They must be mistaken! Then the panic sunk in. I am flying on some crazy military plane to Antarctica tomorrow afternoon. What am i doing? Everyone around me was so excited. Some people had been waiting years for this moment. I tried to block out my fears and harness everyone's positive energy and excitement.
The next day everyone showed up to the CDC to pack their bags (75 pounds including issued gear, 1 carry on and 1 boomerang bag). After packing our bags we moved through baggage check which is located next to the CDC. There our passports were checked, bags were weighed and scanned and dogs sniffed around us. By 2 PM we were bused out to the plane and boarding. At 3 PM they were fixing an engine problem which was delaying our take off. Always reassuring. At 4 PM we were taking off.
The plane was a U.S Air force C-17 with a crew based out of Washington State. Their mission, "Operation Deep Freeze". No joke (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Deep_Freeze)
After a 5 hour flight we landed on Pegasus Airfield. It was incredible. The sun was setting behind the air field as we all ran in a gust of wind to the vehicles waiting to take up to McMurdo. My sunglasses fogged up so i couldn't see a thing but i kept clicking away with my camera. At that moment i just could not believe where i was. It was so surreal, the vast stretches of white and the tiny shapes in the distance that made up McMurdo.
More to come on life at McMurdo next time.
That afternoon we headed back to the airport to the US Antarctic program's CDC (Clothing Distribution Center). At the CDC we were given our gear to try on for size and check for damage.
"Big Red" and other Parkas in the clothing storage facility.
I was issued the hot white boots called "Bunny Boots"
While we were there we were given the word that we would actually fly out the next day. What??? I just got here! They must be mistaken! Then the panic sunk in. I am flying on some crazy military plane to Antarctica tomorrow afternoon. What am i doing? Everyone around me was so excited. Some people had been waiting years for this moment. I tried to block out my fears and harness everyone's positive energy and excitement.
The next day everyone showed up to the CDC to pack their bags (75 pounds including issued gear, 1 carry on and 1 boomerang bag). After packing our bags we moved through baggage check which is located next to the CDC. There our passports were checked, bags were weighed and scanned and dogs sniffed around us. By 2 PM we were bused out to the plane and boarding. At 3 PM they were fixing an engine problem which was delaying our take off. Always reassuring. At 4 PM we were taking off.
The plane was a U.S Air force C-17 with a crew based out of Washington State. Their mission, "Operation Deep Freeze". No joke (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Deep_Freeze)
After a 5 hour flight we landed on Pegasus Airfield. It was incredible. The sun was setting behind the air field as we all ran in a gust of wind to the vehicles waiting to take up to McMurdo. My sunglasses fogged up so i couldn't see a thing but i kept clicking away with my camera. At that moment i just could not believe where i was. It was so surreal, the vast stretches of white and the tiny shapes in the distance that made up McMurdo.
More to come on life at McMurdo next time.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Still en route!
Welcome to Sydney Australia! We left LAX at 1 AM and due to our delayed flight by the time we made it to Sydney we missed our connection to Christchurch. As we exited the plane they herded us Christchurchers to a spot to give us the low down. Apparently there are 46 of us! Most of which are a group that work for Raytheon Polar Services (http://rpsc.raytheon.com/) and were coming from orientation in Denver, CO. We were escorted to immigration, given visas and bussed to a hotel where we were given rooms and lunch. So here i sit in my hotel room till a 4 PM shuttle takes us back to the airport. Not bad. Man i like how things are done around here. Although i do love the surly people at JFK who would leave you stranded on the curb with no luggage or a dime to your name.
I must say through these travel adventures i am starting to meet some interesting Antarctic bound people. At lunch i met this awesome old man with a handle bar mustache who is a shuttle bus driver at McMurdo. Back home he owns a farm in Illinois. At the airport i met a young man who quick his job in marketing a year ago to travel and here he is going to Antarctica to work at the dining hall. Not your normal bunch. Love it already.
No Sleep to New Zealand!
I must say through these travel adventures i am starting to meet some interesting Antarctic bound people. At lunch i met this awesome old man with a handle bar mustache who is a shuttle bus driver at McMurdo. Back home he owns a farm in Illinois. At the airport i met a young man who quick his job in marketing a year ago to travel and here he is going to Antarctica to work at the dining hall. Not your normal bunch. Love it already.
No Sleep to New Zealand!
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
And so it begins....
Welcome to Antarctica! JK...welcome to LAX. Right now my flight is delayed and i am hanging out with the rest of the sleepy Antarctica crew. We are headed to Sydney where we will catch a connection to Christchurch, New Zealand. Although at this rate we will miss our connection.
The airport is crawling with people going to Antarctica. Who knew LAX would be the hub for the deep south? I am have no idea what all these people are up to down there but i am sure i will find out.
Although it is 2.38 AM EST, i am in good spirits. What can i say i am just very excitied to be embarking on this journey.
20 + hours of travel still ahead.
The airport is crawling with people going to Antarctica. Who knew LAX would be the hub for the deep south? I am have no idea what all these people are up to down there but i am sure i will find out.
Although it is 2.38 AM EST, i am in good spirits. What can i say i am just very excitied to be embarking on this journey.
20 + hours of travel still ahead.
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