Winter Over 2016 Blog #2

Hi again,

I was planning a monthly update however as the first few weeks on any new place is full of wonderment, bewilderment and mind-cramming things to remember, felt the need to write it down before the thought disappears into the ether or down here very possibly swallowed by the hole in the ozone layer.

It has been a busy follow-on from the arrival and induction, filled with departures: the departure of the sunlight which has gone feeling like 24hr midday through to a day-long “it feels like 3pm” to the starts of the “5 o’clock shadow”. According to the recently departed NIWA man, permanent sunset is to be expected on 13^th April. How will the Easter Bunny know we are here?

The 5 o’clock shadow look – he should be wearing googles

The other departures have been the bulk of the summer crew. As a recent arrival it created a mixture of emotions. One of empathy, for the departing and remaining friends that have obviously formed close bonds over the past 6 months but also, of loss at saying goodbye to people you have only just met but get a strong sense of having missed the opportunity of getting to know them.

The departure of the main summer team and the take off

The numbers on the base are dwindling down to the mid 20’s almost like the tranquillity that you see outside the window on a crisp clear day is spreading its tentacles inside Scott Base as both the environment and the people start preparations for the winter season.

Full house to--------------------- mid 20s and due to go lower

One of the last research teams came back through the base on their way home. A very effervescent research leader treated the group to a presentation of the application of drones for mapping. Even the preliminary photos demonstrated the awesome detail that this technology can now provide. Wonder what Captain Cook would have thought of this technology for cartography?

The summer flag has been ceremoniously lowered and the winter flag raised. The ceremony gave a time to reflect on the great NZ flag debate and ponder on where the same sense of occasion would prevail if “laser Kiwi” flag option had made it into the final selection. I think you would be hard pushed to find a better emblem than the one that Scott Base has - it definitely gets my vote.

Lowering the summer flag and raising the smaller winter flag.

Talking of duty and tasks these have begun in earnest with daily duties interspersed with sorties into the start of autumn “spring cleaning”, stocktakes and storing over winter ready for the renewed onslaught of visitors and researchers for the next summer.

One of the many descriptors around base

I know you are all hanging out for an update on the wonders of “the secret life of the winter domestic” suitable for anyone with a sleep disorder (a recommended read for insomniacs.) As Scott Base tidies itself up at the conclusion of the summer season and prepares for the winter, the empty rooms now vacated are thoroughly cleaned. Some of the recently departed room occupants must have been going “commando” style judging by the amount of underwear that had secreted themselves in and around the bed and drawer surrounds living apparently happy existence with an array of socks, paper, pens and range of currency that had a significant impact on the dwindling supply of US quarters in the SB bar kitty.

Veering straight onto an H&S issue of static electricity. The dry environment coupled with synthetic alleyway carpet is a great combo for the creation of static electricity. Though the introduction booklet does refer to this and the need to brush past and touch metal objects in an apparent loitering technique as you walk down hallways to discharge your electrical build up. I hadn’t factored in that vigorous carpet vacuuming radically decreases the interval time between the need to discharge yourself. The result literally hair-raising and sending sparks arcing from fingers and the classic hair standing on end look!

Despite the assurances that medivacs were very rare and an unlikely occurrence, this is what happened only 3 days after the departure of the summer crew - including the summer medic.

The level of support for the patient from an amazing medical staff at McMurdo, huge and immediate support from the team at Scott Base and the Christchurch, coupled with a very knowledgeable patient, end resulted in a successful flight out. Reports are that the patient is doing well after treatment in Christchurch.

Amidst the departures there were also arrivals including UK Naval boat “HMS Protector”, departing Italian base team on a sticky beak and 2 tour boats. The last for the season to arrive and do a tour of Scott base was the “Spirit of Enderby” a Russian boat under Heritage Expeditions.  Two of the tour leaders had been at Scott base – Jim Henderson (1992 and 1996 winter photos in the rough’s gallery) and David Harrowfield who has written books on this location. It was a privilege to meet these 2 engaging and knowledgeable people. The highlight of this last tour boat was the return invite to visit the ship. It was a beautiful mirror calm evening to travel out in an inflatable to the ship. Seriously in danger of losing one of the winter over team in danger of being abducted by one of the Russian crew (female) who was extremely impressed by a strapping Antipodean ducking his head to avoid serious harm from the menacing sprinkler system dotting the ships corridors. But he was hard to mislay and suspect difficult to stowaway.

Bodyguards protecting winter over team member from being abducted, counting heads on leaving just in case. And pics of David Harrowfield, Jim Henderson and Quentin (the son of Beansprout from Gorge River)

An inflatable boat detour on return to McMurdo to the edge of the receding sea ice now encroaching around the corner edging slowly towards Scott base. A very different perspective to see Scott Base from the sea was greatly appreciated by all on-board.

View of Mc Murdo  and Scott Base from nautical perspective

So what about the leisure time – well have been exploring the tracks especially on the balmy days boasting only -9C.  And yes there are seals, a few emperor penguins, sighted a whale (minky ) and met Lionel (a single somewhat forlorn looking Adelie penguin) but that is the subject of another Blog.

Lionel bragging about subject matter of the next Blog