PENGUIN ON THE RUNWAY - wednesday 14 november

YEEHAR.

3.40am a call comes over the radio "station two this is ice tower" "we have a penguin on the runway which needs removal"

I have never lept out of bed so fast in my life. Penguins. Yeehar. The only trouble was, half way to the ground I realised I was sleeping on the top bunk. Fortunately Chris jumped out exactly the same time and provided a cushy landing. Sorry Chris!

With camera in tow we got clearance from the National Science Foundation and tower to step onto the runway. There sat an adelie penguin minding his own business.

Moving him was a little tricky. Under NSF guidelines you are not allowed to get within 10 metres of wildlife, touch or annoy it in any way. This dude was here to stay. We decided he "doesn't do ice" and wanted a free trip north.

We spent an hour on the runway, walking next to it with our hands in the air trying to divert him off the runway. Eventually he followed orders. I took a great shot of what looks like the adelie heading off into the sunset!

Super wicked.

HANGING OUT ON A C-130 - tuesday 13 november

Back out at station 2 again today. This afternoon we drove out to one of the ski 130’s and did a familiarisation. It was neat to get back inside. We even pulled a line (hose) interior.

MARCH OF THE PENGUINS - Monday 12 november

Early morning I ran ob hill loop track again. Feeling a little crook I decided to take it easy for the rest of the day and watched the movie, march of the penguins. The cinematography was spectacular. I so hope I get to see some penguins down here.

Feeling the need for some retail therapy, I hit the station store. Actually that reminds me about a dream I had down here a few days back. I dreamt I saw this guy walking through one of the buildings here with a McDonalds brown paper bag. I ran up to him, “hey man, how’d you get some Mac Dees?” he replied, “haven’t you heard about the secret door” “No” I responded. “follow me” I eagerly followed him and crawled down through the small door. I stood upright on the other side and found myself in this gigantic American shopping mall. In front of me stood surf shops, book stores, clothing stores and all the food outlets you could dream of. I was like a kid in a candy store. Then I woke up.

RUGBY - Sunday 11 november

Work today. We have shift change at noon, so Sunday’s a pretty easy day. I had rugby training during the afternoon.

I’m on ambo this shift. We had a call at 10.30pm to the smell of burning. It turned out to be a false alarm.

ANTARCTIC EXPLORERS - Saturday 10 november

This morning I ran the Observation Hill loop track. This is a great trail run. It only takes around 45 minutes return, and it feels great getting some cool air into the lungs. I do something outside each day, whether it be hiking, running, skiing. Even now, after a month and a half of being here I still feel the buzz every time I step out that door.

With equipment in tow, Dave, Chris and I headed outside to do as previous explorers have done many a time. Clicked into some skis. First time skiing in Antarctica. Wicked. We decided to test the waters and just ski out to the runway. Dave had skua’d some skis a few weeks back. Unfortunately the bindings had broken; he fixed this by duct taping an old pair of shoes to them instead. As we left the building I pointed out he had no poles, “I’ll find something” Dave responded. Within minutes he’d found an old bamboo flagpole to which he proceeded to break in half. Perfect.
I responded with some hill billie guitar music.
Skiing was great fun, it was a little windy but that was a good excuse for the amount of times we fell over. I traded my poles with Dave since he is quite a bit taller than me. Bamboo actually does make good pole, wonder if Salomon would buy the idea?

During the evening the pub held an event called “freak train” It’s an open mike night. People stand up on stage doing whatever it is they’re best at. There were poems and songs, dress ups and unusual body positions – one guy turned his feet all the way around backwards.

KELLY DAY - Friday 9 november

I have my first Kelly day today. This gives me 3 consecutive days off. Time to relax and recover. Especially from the Scott base escapades the night before. A large group of us walked over for “American” night. We played pool on a kiwi table with kiwi rules. Brilliant. As the night grew on, out came what is called the “ski shot” this is an olden day style ski with 5 shot glasses glued to it. The shot is poured; you stand in a line, and well, hope for the best. I’ve got to get me one of those.

After a fantastic sleep in I hit the Climbing wall with Jared and Dave. (yes you heard right - you name it they have it here) It was nice to get the climbing shoes on again. We set about climbing some cool routes and pulled the video out for a dyno attempt.

After climbing I hit the bike for an hour.

Nigel and Jennie are visiting Jeremy so it was nice to talk to them over the laptop.

WEATHER BALLOON LAUNCH - Thursday 8 november

Up at the crack of dawn. Figuratively not literally. We gear up and hit the snow with our shovels. The road to the runway has been delayed in opening this morning due to last night’s condition one storm. It is vital for us to clear away built up snow surrounding our vehicles, and planes will not take off until so. I gleefully grab my shovel and jump on top of red six. “Wow” I think to myself, “this has got to be the first time I’ve ever shovelled a vehicle out from snow whilst standing on its roof!” The snowdrift is spectacular. I’ve stayed in many cold places before but have never seen a built up quite like this.

So we dig, and dig, and dig. It takes me a good 30 minutes shovelling to sight just part of the wheel. The snow clearing machines are hard at work too. I can see it moving in my peripheral vision. In seconds it has effortlessly picked up the equivalent amount of snow that I have slogged away at during the last hour.

Back in McMurdo I get ready to head over to the weather station. I have been invited to learn about and launch a Weather balloon. I had the great fortune of meeting Debra the weather guru two days prior. We talked; well actually I quizzed her endlessly about the weather. I think she offered me this opportunity to shut me up.

I accepted in seconds.

The balloon records pressure, temperature, distance travelled and a few other weather related information. It travels at 16 metres per second and reaches a height of 22,000 metres. The balloon is filled with helium and inflates to at a guess; my height. I was instructed to hold the balloon at the base and walk it outside. I felt like a small kid walking around a fair holding a double overhead stick of candyfloss.

Here we go. Possibly the first ever Antarctic weather balloon launched by a kiwi. Success. Off she blew. Within seconds she flew out of sight. Bon voyage.

CONDITION ONE - Wednesday 7 november

Out at station two today. The weather is a little nasty today and due to get worse. The day is filled with training and the regular routine. By afternoon the front has moved in and it’s now condition two. The boys and I gear up and head outside for a little rugby (how many times can you say you’ve done that) Rugby in Antarctica in a condition 2 storm. Wicked. The evening draws in and so does worse weather. It’s now condition one. Batten down the hatches. It’s exceeding 50 knot winds, and visibility is less than 5 metres. We get word that a bassler plane is shortly due to land. The pilot had no choice but to continue on and land. We put on our turnout gear and position in the trucks. We can hear him but have no idea where he is, for all we know he could be heading into the building! Alas, he makes a landing and eventually becomes visible. I take my hat off to him. “ Buy that man a beer,” we laugh, our nerves have now eased. No rescue mission today.

SKEWER – Tuesday 6 november

This morning I had my final delta training. I’m now officially a delta driver and leader for trips out to Cape Evans. So stay off the roads!

Leaving the delta I headed over to Skua. Skua for those not in the know is a ship container sized Sally Army Store. It’s a place where people leave items that they don’t want to take north with them. We are free at any time to hunt through the piles of gear and equipment, and take away what we wish. As they say, one man’s junk is another man’s treasure. The name comes from an Antarctic bird that looks like an overweight seagull with a tan. They’re scavengers at heart.

I was visiting Skua today for some vital bits of gear. I’m on a mission. I’m pimping out my pad, so to speak. Read on.

I room with 3 others. I’m on a bunk bed, sharing with another firefighter. To limit disturbance, I am sleeping on the floor and Angie has her part of the bunk above. I have decided to build a cosy little nest for myself.

To my delight I find some thick rope, a wooden shelf, a sheet and some old shower curtain hangers. Perfect.

4 hours of blood sweat and tears later. Kiwi Cave was born. (naming rights belong to a friend of mine Zach)

She’s a beaut. I have a multi layer shelf where my laptop sits beside speakers previously Skua’d by my friend Keri. The sounds are perfect for watching movies. I have a target game positioned on the roof for that “can’t sleep” entertainment. Some glow in the dark stars above my head for nigh time authenticity, a wireless remote in hands reach to “change channels”, a stubby holder, some plastic flowers, posters on the wall, and for the grand finale; some Christmas sparkly white lights.
Now that’s what I call pimped out.