Well how long since I wrote on the blog, it's a rather quite time on the Station at the moment, we have been waiting patiently for the Ice to open for travel which has occurred and the first party went out for 3 days on Thursday. We are looking at a traverse over to the Rauers Islands which is about a 5 day trip there and back, that should make for some interesting writing.
The Rauers are a group of islands located north of the station, access is by travelling to the plateau and traversing across, this trip should take about 10-12 hours weather dependant, as travel on the Plateau can change in 5 minutes. We should spend at least one night camping in a polar pyramid in temperatures around -35, should be interesting.
The cold weather is starting to become more frequent now with the temperatures quite often below -18, we have had discussion around this and generally agree, once the temp goes below -15 quite a few things change, for one: movement outside becomes rather limited and quick. Yesterday I took a glove off to take a picture of the sunset, I had a glove off for no more than 20 seconds and the cold had well and truly grabbed my fingers.
Discussion around training and survival techniques has also taken place, you come to realise the importance of the training now. This would be one of the only environments you could possibly die in without leaving the station. A walk from the LQ to the Green store which takes approx 3 mins, if you were to fall and injure yourself becoming incapacitated could result in hypothermia and worse case death in a very short period of time.
Different environments require different approaches this is no different here, you just have to be aware of the surroundings and possible outcomes.
Ice drilling continues on a weekly basis every Tuesday, its currently being undertaken by riding quads out to the ice points, drilling and recording the data. 2 weeks ago Mark, Dave and myself set out in -22, we in a fortunate position that the gear we use is made specifically for these conditions, from clothing through to the quads which have heated hand grips (thankfully), and covers of lambswool over the bars, any exposed area and you feel it pretty quick burning your skin.
It is a very special place here and I feel privileged to be able to see the sights first hand, this morning i was walking to the gym and saw the most amazing Aurora over the Station and with a full moon you could still distinctly see the green dancing around the sky, they are incredible. I thought I should go back and get my camera but opted to just stay there and enjoy the sight. Hopefully we will be in a position to get some good pics around mid morning when we are more prepared.
Dave on a quad ready to go out for ice drilling
Dave and I infront of a berg
Map of Australia in the opening, home sweet home
Out on the Sea Ice depth was around 600mm
Mark and myself drilling in -22.
I took this pic from the Ice looking back at the station, living and sleeping quarters, the wind picked up just as we entered the ice.
This is a lead in the ice, at this stage it was only 300mm thick so we couldn't go any further, we had one more point to install, it had to wait until the next week.
Sunrise over the ice with the wind whipping up the snow, about 11.00am
