Today I’m out at station two until 8pm.
The wind was still blowing her best this morning. I took some great video footage of the snowdrift above the ice.
The day started with the usual truck checks although things proved a little harder in these windy conditions.
Sitting alone against the runway lays our air traffic control centre, or tower as they call it here. It's rather small. It seems almost a complete replica of the Lego air traffic tower I helped my nephew Robert build back home before I left. I can't help but chuckle. I can just visualise these little Lego men inside sitting at their little Lego computers.
Fortunately today though I got to visit inside the Lego tower and can confirm that there are no yellow folk present. Just some super cool guys who are sicked about planes.
I quizzed them till the cows came home. I learnt that these massive air force c-17 planes weighing in at 265 tonne only need a minimum of 1.7m in thickness of the ice to land. (It currently sits at 2.5m thickness). Every hour of flight in a c-17 they burn $5,000 usd in gas. Last year there were 430 C-130's missions throughout Antarctica and 57 C-17 trips between Christchurch and mcmurdo. I also learnt that the reason the planes can't fly here during the winter is because once the ambient temperature drops below -50.c the hydraulics on the planes freeze even whilst in operation. They have had an emergency winter landing here before to which they ran gasoline down the sides of the runway to create a visual for the pilot. The twin otter planes are used in these rear cases.
I also discovered that because we are below the 60th parallel our airport runs on the North grid, so effectively the South Pole is in the north direction.
Lamb for dinner. Not for me though. I thought of the boys back home on station; I reckon they've been eating that every night ever since I left.
I played Scott at darts. 16 games. kiwi won one. yeah. I can only get better from here in.
It's 10pm. I'd better hit the hay and rest up for tomorrow's adventures.
See you see you.
Friday, November 2, 2007
Thursday, November 1, 2007
YOU GOT MAIL - friday 2 november
YEAH. I got mail. YEAH YEAH YEAH. Thanks pops for the Milo and Faith for the incredibly awesome Milo poem that is now on my wall. Thanks Nigel and Jennie for your travelling postcard, it looks nice and warm. I also got the invitation to one of my friends wedding. WICKED. Mail is like gold down here. Apparently there is 20,000 pounds of box package mail sitting in chch waiting to come down here. Flat mail, such as letters or anything posted into one of those big envelopes from the post office gets here super fast. Dad only sent that package on the 24th and it's already here. Unfortunately I’m still waiting for my firefighting uniform to get here, which was sent to chch from the states in September.
This morning I had delta training. I got to drive the beast around to practise for the trips I’ll lead out to cape Evans. What a blast. This thing is SO big, her wheels are over my head.
The arvo has been spent cruising and chatting with friends. Typing on the computer, and reading my lovely mail. Hint hint.
It was lovely to talk to hubby for a while today, and Cam too. They're getting ready to head over the hill to martinborough for a good friends wedding. I've sent them a telegraph from Antarctica to read at their wedding. Hopefully they think that's pretty cool.
I ran up the ridge track too. It was so incredibly windy. Now I though Wellington was windy but that is nothing compared to the gusts we get down here. I wish I had my camera to video. I was leaning over 45 degress and the wind was holding my body weight up. Incredible.
Tonight I had more delta training then watched a video with some friends. I have my first trip to Cape Evans this Sunday,
SWEET AS.
This morning I had delta training. I got to drive the beast around to practise for the trips I’ll lead out to cape Evans. What a blast. This thing is SO big, her wheels are over my head.
The arvo has been spent cruising and chatting with friends. Typing on the computer, and reading my lovely mail. Hint hint.
It was lovely to talk to hubby for a while today, and Cam too. They're getting ready to head over the hill to martinborough for a good friends wedding. I've sent them a telegraph from Antarctica to read at their wedding. Hopefully they think that's pretty cool.
I ran up the ridge track too. It was so incredibly windy. Now I though Wellington was windy but that is nothing compared to the gusts we get down here. I wish I had my camera to video. I was leaning over 45 degress and the wind was holding my body weight up. Incredible.
Tonight I had more delta training then watched a video with some friends. I have my first trip to Cape Evans this Sunday,
SWEET AS.
PUMPKIN PIE FOR DESSERT? - thursday 1 november
On shift today. I'm riding engine one.
At breakfast this morning i unknowingly sat next to a lady called Ann Curry who is the presenter on the US today news show. Fancy that, here I am chatting away about vegemite or something to a lady who is known by millions! Brilliant. It was only when she headed off to get a coffee that I was enlightened on her status.
So out came the camera. Someone famous and myself in Antarctica
This morning at work we did some ARFF rescue training, preparing ourselves for any future in-flight emergencies.
After lunch we headed over to the 15 million dollar science lab for a familiarisation tour. What a great building and much used facility. I was even fortunate enough to visit the aquarium. The seawater temperature here is around -2.c. Divers have reported seeing distances of 200-300 feet, since the water is so clear. The fish are incredible. I took some video of them swimming around their tank. They surface the water and make bubbles; I couldn't believe how long they kept their heads out of the water. I was also fortunate to see some core samples from a depth of 300 feet, to which they have found organism and readings from up to 10 million years ago. It takes so long to drill here. First they have to drill through the frozen ice layer, then through the depths of the ocean to reach the floor bedding.
The afternoon brought some blasting. This is the most efficient way of moving the thick solid volcanic rock base here. Apparently they're making way for a new fuel tank.
Dinner was amusing. I picked up a piece of what I thought was like a caramel cake for desert. It turned out to be pumpkin! Much to my amusement I learnt that this is how americans eat their pumpkin. In a pie for desert with ice cream and whipped cream. I politely took a bite and muttered "mmmmm yummy" then slid it over the table for my friend to eat. You gotta try everything once right. The guys thought it highly funny that we eat it with our dinner "you know meat and two veg" I explained.
At midnight we had a firecall to the boldering (rock climbing) cave. The chalk dust used in climbing had activated the smoke detector. I was fast asleep and once at the call I got a rude awakening by trying to get some tools out of the truck then realising I had no gloves on. No gloves on in Antarctica is bad news.
At breakfast this morning i unknowingly sat next to a lady called Ann Curry who is the presenter on the US today news show. Fancy that, here I am chatting away about vegemite or something to a lady who is known by millions! Brilliant. It was only when she headed off to get a coffee that I was enlightened on her status.
So out came the camera. Someone famous and myself in Antarctica
This morning at work we did some ARFF rescue training, preparing ourselves for any future in-flight emergencies.
After lunch we headed over to the 15 million dollar science lab for a familiarisation tour. What a great building and much used facility. I was even fortunate enough to visit the aquarium. The seawater temperature here is around -2.c. Divers have reported seeing distances of 200-300 feet, since the water is so clear. The fish are incredible. I took some video of them swimming around their tank. They surface the water and make bubbles; I couldn't believe how long they kept their heads out of the water. I was also fortunate to see some core samples from a depth of 300 feet, to which they have found organism and readings from up to 10 million years ago. It takes so long to drill here. First they have to drill through the frozen ice layer, then through the depths of the ocean to reach the floor bedding.
The afternoon brought some blasting. This is the most efficient way of moving the thick solid volcanic rock base here. Apparently they're making way for a new fuel tank.
Dinner was amusing. I picked up a piece of what I thought was like a caramel cake for desert. It turned out to be pumpkin! Much to my amusement I learnt that this is how americans eat their pumpkin. In a pie for desert with ice cream and whipped cream. I politely took a bite and muttered "mmmmm yummy" then slid it over the table for my friend to eat. You gotta try everything once right. The guys thought it highly funny that we eat it with our dinner "you know meat and two veg" I explained.
At midnight we had a firecall to the boldering (rock climbing) cave. The chalk dust used in climbing had activated the smoke detector. I was fast asleep and once at the call I got a rude awakening by trying to get some tools out of the truck then realising I had no gloves on. No gloves on in Antarctica is bad news.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
2 PLY TOLIET PAPER - Wednesday 31 october
I’m feeling the effects of lack of sleep.
My average bedtime down here has moved from midnight 2 weeks ago to around 1 to 3am. 24 hours daylight really plays with your mind. It’s not that I can’t sleep, it’s just that I walk outside from playing sport or partying and it’s super bright outside. The brain and body think, “sweet, what’s next”?
So today has been an R and R day. Super chilled out. I watched a surfing dvd, had a power nap then hung out in the galley catching up with friends.
This afternoon I’ve planned to run the ridge track, which will take around 45 minutes. After dinner Keri my roomy and I are going trick or treating around our dorm.
Tonight at 8pm it’s bingo night at the pub. I’m going to try really hard to win. I hear 2 ply toilet paper is the top prize. If that’s true, every man and his dog will be there.
Fingers crossed. For my bottoms sake.
My average bedtime down here has moved from midnight 2 weeks ago to around 1 to 3am. 24 hours daylight really plays with your mind. It’s not that I can’t sleep, it’s just that I walk outside from playing sport or partying and it’s super bright outside. The brain and body think, “sweet, what’s next”?
So today has been an R and R day. Super chilled out. I watched a surfing dvd, had a power nap then hung out in the galley catching up with friends.
This afternoon I’ve planned to run the ridge track, which will take around 45 minutes. After dinner Keri my roomy and I are going trick or treating around our dorm.
Tonight at 8pm it’s bingo night at the pub. I’m going to try really hard to win. I hear 2 ply toilet paper is the top prize. If that’s true, every man and his dog will be there.
Fingers crossed. For my bottoms sake.
INFLIGHT EMERGENCY - Tuesday 30 october
Station two beckons today. Wicked.
The weather is clear and a lot warmer today. We start the day with truck checks making sure everything is in running order. We get word that the US today news crew are arriving this afternoon. They’re going to do a simultanious broadcast from both the north pole and the south pole on november 5.
Check http://allday.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/10/30/438745.aspx for more info
We are outside when a call comes in. A c-130, which had just left 10 minutes ago for the South Pole, is on its return to McMurdo. We have an inbound emergency; there is an electrical smell onboard. We jump into action. The plane lands safely and after a visual inspection enters the apron. No drama, but excitement for us fireys.
The weather is clear and a lot warmer today. We start the day with truck checks making sure everything is in running order. We get word that the US today news crew are arriving this afternoon. They’re going to do a simultanious broadcast from both the north pole and the south pole on november 5.
Check http://allday.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/10/30/438745.aspx for more info
We are outside when a call comes in. A c-130, which had just left 10 minutes ago for the South Pole, is on its return to McMurdo. We have an inbound emergency; there is an electrical smell onboard. We jump into action. The plane lands safely and after a visual inspection enters the apron. No drama, but excitement for us fireys.
OB HILL - monday 29 october
Just a cruisey day off today.
A friend and I climbed Ob hill again. I made him model for some photography shots.
I played volleyball again at the gym this evening. That’s one of the things I love down here; I play soccer, dodge ball, volleyball, basketball, climbing. Everything is on your doorstep. Brilliant.
I get an email togay from Jeremy today saying "you're famous agian" A man from the christchurch press contacted me a few days back saying he wanted to run a story on the rugby game we are practising for. He wanted a "happy" article to make up for all the negative news lately. He emailed to let me know that it ran in both The Press and The Dom.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4253658a6009.html
A friend and I climbed Ob hill again. I made him model for some photography shots.
I played volleyball again at the gym this evening. That’s one of the things I love down here; I play soccer, dodge ball, volleyball, basketball, climbing. Everything is on your doorstep. Brilliant.
I get an email togay from Jeremy today saying "you're famous agian" A man from the christchurch press contacted me a few days back saying he wanted to run a story on the rugby game we are practising for. He wanted a "happy" article to make up for all the negative news lately. He emailed to let me know that it ran in both The Press and The Dom.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4253658a6009.html
MEDIVAC - sunday 28 october
At noon I was back at work. I’m the ambulance driver today.
Just before shift change a lady had fallen from her bunk bed and was discovered unconscious. Our paramedics assisted the doctors during the day and at 6pm I was responsible for driving her down onto the c-17 plane for a medivac back to Christchurch.
Kiakaha.
Just before shift change a lady had fallen from her bunk bed and was discovered unconscious. Our paramedics assisted the doctors during the day and at 6pm I was responsible for driving her down onto the c-17 plane for a medivac back to Christchurch.
Kiakaha.
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