I packed all my extreme cold weather gear into a bag and excitedly headed over to FSTOP (FIELD safety outdoors……..) to begin my happy camper expedition. This was to be an action packed two days of outdoor survival training. 20 of us pilled into what they call a Delta. It’s an orange beast of a truck. The wheels alone are double overhead. It took the best part of 30 minutes to get to our destination, travelling at the lightning speed of, 1 mile per hour.
The sun was shining bright in the blue sky. Perfect. It strikes me how close you feel to the mountain ranges on the horizon. You almost need one of those stickers often found on the side mirror of a motor vehicles “objects may appear closer than they are” This mass of mountains lay 25 MILES away yet they seem only a stone’s throw away.
Kevin and Susan are to be our instructors. Great characters, great fun.
After a classroom session we get stuck right in. We learn the importance of survival in Antarctic conditions. Now I’m happy to say I’m pretty well educated in outdoor survival but when it comes to Antarctica; it’s a whole different ball game. You have to be thinking one step ahead. All the time. People have had their number drawn here by just simply walking to the outhouse (long drop) the whiteout condition worsens and they can’t find their way back to camp. 10 metres away.
As I listened I thought back to last week when I took my gloves off once to get that perfect photography shot, within seconds I had frostnip, that’s the white waxy first stages of frostbite. I noticed my hands were getting cold and made the mistake of thinking “she’ll be right, just a couple more shots” I’ll tell you what, the pain of your hands “thawing out” once inside isn’t worth that shot. Lesson learnt.
So we made T anchors to secure tents, learnt how to build a snow/wind wall, and use MSR fuel stoves to melt snow. We practised radio procedures, and erected antennas for VF radios. Made snow caves and survival trenches, and most importantly learnt the four key points of staying warm; HEAT, INSULATE, EAT AND EXCERISE.
It becomes clear that what we taught in the classroom is our key to survival in this ever-changing environment.
Dinner rolls around fast. Tonight’s menu; dehydrated beef and pasta. It’s not bad but I struggle through my packet. I know I have to eat it all. It’s negative 28.c out and it’s likely to drop further throughout the night. I need this food to keep me warm.
We entertained ourselves through the evening by using the ice saw to write block words out of ice. My “kiwi” quickly becomes a favourite with the PAPERATIZEE.
Scott, Matt and I become the leaders for the rest of the camp. The instructors sleep in a hut 10 minutes away from us. We are responsible for the general safety and wellbeing of camp. Others must let us know where they are at all times. At 7.45pm and 7.45am we radio in with an update that everyone is accounted for, any arising issues, and weather updates.
At midnight I finish my hot chocolate and prepared for bed. This is an important ritual and can mean the difference between a great night’s sleep and no sleep at all.
I visit the outhouse, then run around for 10 minutes, being careful though to not sweat; as sweat freezes instantly thus defeating the point of getting warm. I eat as many snacks as I can and fill my nalgene water bottle with boiling water. I change my socks; if you’re ever grumpy/tired/cold – “changing your socks changes your attitude” put on my fleece layers and snuggle into my sleeping bag with my freshly filled “hot water bottle” Bliss.
I slept pretty well. I awoke in the middle of the night to see this thick scarf-like layer of ice around the top of my sleeping bag. I worked out that it was the moisture I created from breathing out that instantly froze to my bag.
