The hardest "goodbye" was to my long-time friend Gary Clow. We have spent some good times in the field and been through the wars together. I don't get to see him very often, but when I do it is a pleasure.
Safe flying everyone!
Friday, January 9, 2015
Pulling Out
One of the truths of field work in Antarctica is that sooner or later, everyone leaves. I said goodbye to my adopted science project (not sure who adopted who) and temporary teammates Kiya, Nick and Atsu as they headed back to McMurdo yesterday. There is still a chance I will catch up with them in McMurdo; their northbound is not for a week. I have some loose ends to tie up here, and a few cats left to heard, but Science is wrapping up at WAIS Divide and it's time to go home.
Thursday, January 1, 2015
A Drift
We have been riding out a WAIS Divide Special for the past few days. The winds have increased from the teens to the twenties and on into the thirty knot range. Not conducive to anything but staying inside. Unfortunately, that is not always possible down here. Gary and I took advantage in some breaks in the overcast to run out and check the damage at Arch-land. We have three structures out there (about 1/4 mile from camp), the Arch itself, now buried after nine years of accumulated snow, the Jamesway in this photo and The Polarhaven tent where the winch lives. This is one day without shoveling out the back entrance to the J-way. I this structure we prepare equipment for the various borehole logging experiments and as a warming hut. There is a Preway fuel oil burning inside for heat. The entrances to the Arch were an adventure, but not too bad. Waist deep drifts that an hour with the loader will take of care of…if the wind stops soon.
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