Winter Over 2016 Blog #1

Hi Guys

A review of the first two weeks at Scott Base.

Finally made it to Scott Base.

The outside clothes all 4 layers and the high heels

The initial departure on 2nd Feb 2016 started ok with loading into US Hercules and taking off together with a group of VIP from USA congress. We even got half way down before headwinds determined a return to chch. Then a hurry up and wait for couple more days before final departure on Thursday 4th Feb.

Just departed and …several hours later heading back to chch!

Though a second flight had more people on board we managed to get a seat that had a window directly behind it so at the 6 hr mark the ice flow area and around 7hrs got first glimpse of Antarctica - definitely very white!

First view of Antarctica and McMurdo with icebreaker passage up to the base

A wee while later descended past McMurdo station (the US base) and then past a very Kermit looking Scott Base before landing remarkably softly on ski skids on the ice runway past Scott base.

Just landed on ice runway and the Kermit green Scott Base (the dots on the ice are seals)

As the weather was fine sunny (for 24hr a day that is) and a balmy -4C or -5C on arrival definitely felt like a newbie descending with huge ugboots and -30 plus jacket on to people standing around in hoodies and jeans. I don't care as the ugboots make me at least 5'5” which is a height I have aspired to and could never really achieve without the perils of stilettos.

View overlooking McMurdo base just over a hill

Scott Base and to a greater extent McMurdo base look like construction zones with clusters of container buildings and heaps of stuff around them. Scott Base at least is mainly interconnecting buildings with a wigglely covered alleyways connecting them. The USA base not so lucky as the bulk of the buildings are all disconnected so must be a bummer mid-winter!

The first week has comprised of team building for the winter-over crew with 2 days of exercises. The fun part was getting out of the buildings trying to play soccer on ice and snow wearing ugboots- never was much for the ball sports so just compounded this by adding crusty snow and ug boots - and the score zero all!.

Ugboot soccer on frozen sea and group pic of mainly the winter over team (photos by Julie Patterson) 

Next the building of an igloo. A young building apprentice, who came down on the same flight as I did, was the designated igloo building manager for our group of 4. And bodes well for his future that after 4 days it is the only igloo remaining intact and habitable!

Igloo building 101- limit to 4 people very crammed seated or one small person sleeping in curled foetal position (photos by Julie Patterson) 

Day two of the team building involved series of team tasks inside gym at McMurdo this included thinking up a team concept for winter. The general agreement was to go with TEAM SCUA – where the S =support, C=communication, U=understanding and A=assistance to act as prompts for ideologies. Another exercise especially with the construction team on base, was the building structure out of straws as tall as possible (the skyscrapers at Dubai are not in danger of losing their tallest status) and suspect that outcomes will not be added to the builder CVs for future building projects.

Construction house of straw- didn’t work well for one of the three little pigs either I believe (photos by Julie Patterson) 

The first weekend marked the last day of the Scott base ski field operation as it is closed down for winter so joined the auspicious occasion by trying to recall how to ski again and did manage a few almost ok turns after enduring a battle with a rope tow.

End of season day castle rock snow park, Antarctica

Outdoor instruction 2 days was learning how to erect 3 different tents digging out a kitchen /cooking area and

overnight ( even though it is 24hr daylight) in the said tents in double bagged sleeping bags - which were pretty

hot. Though I suspect may not be the case if the thermometer said a greater minus number.

The kitchen and dining room (with a view) and penthouse, family and ……

The super economy trench in snow accommodation the night before and the morning after unexpected snow!

PS I opted for the penthouse suite

Of course not forgetting a view of the inside of the penthouse suite and the panorama from the ablutions to distract from the logistics of negotiating this process without mishap.

And climbed my first peak on Antarctica named Castle Rock summiting at 8.30pm (daylight)

And rewarded with awesome views

How to drive the vehicles 101 include plugging them in to hitching rails to keep them warm and able to start. Sadly only the 4WD vehicles I don't think they will let me loose with a skidoo or a Hagglunds. But there are some mountain bikes with seriously fat tyres on them for biking on the snow and ice, which are on the agenda to have a go at.

No it hasn’t been just a buzz of games and outdoor excursions training. With 24hr light leaves a lot of daylight even before – after work. Plus there is that knowledge to make the most of the daylight with winter and darkness not too far away. Plus a departing summer team that are happy to give you a tour while they make their final farewells to this continent the newcomers are eager to avail themselves of the tour guides.

View from Vince’s cross with US icebreaker

Intro to house cleaning Antarctica-style has begun in earnest with the summer medic due to leave soon and one of the summer domestics having departed. Hand over time has been a bit of a mind cram of new locations, tasks, procedures and protocols.

The people here are like hobbits with breakfasts, then morning tea closely followed lunch afternoon tea and dinner. Will try and resolve to stick to just the 2 meals a day that will save a requirement for an airbus on exit or being mistaken for a seal and taken down and set free on the pressure ridges on the ice that butt up to the foreshore at Scott Base where many seals are hanging out or lying around at the moment.

But that is a tale for the second instalment

Cheers

Vonny

(photo by Julie Patterson) 

All other images credited to Vonny Sprey, unless otherwise stated.