The day started off bright and early with a 4:00am wake up call from our hotel in New Zealand, at which time we loaded up all of our gear on to the shuttles, and headed to the airport. When we arrived we were given time to change in to our extreme cold weather gear, which is comparable to an astronaut getting ready to go into outer space. In order to even board the flight, we were required to have on heavy-duty carhartt parkas, bibs, thermals, gloves, eye protection, and various other cold weather accessories. After we were all geared up, and ready to head out, we boarded a C17 military cargo plane, and set out for the five hour flight to McMurdo.
It was very interesting flying on a C17. There are only a few small windows, but we were able to take turns looking out, and about two hours or so into the flight we were able to see snow-covered mountains and valleys of Antarctica. We were also able to take turns going into the cockpit and meeting the pilots, which was really interesting.
Our plane set down this afternoon at McMurdo at about 2:00pm. When we got off the plane the temperature was 1 degree Fahrenheit, which happens to be the warmest day they have had so far this season. It was blue skies in all directions and we could clearly see the volcano in the background with a cloud of smoke rising from the crater. We were quickly loaded on to Ivan, the huge “terra bus” that took us from the airstrip, to our dorms. After a quick orientation we were issued dorm rooms and met with our supervisors and crews.
My crew seems like a pretty cool group, and my supervisor informed me that we would be handling all the electrical service calls around McMurdo. We will also handle the science field camps, and at some point everyone in my crew should have a chance to take a helicopter ride out to at least one of these different field camps located at various points in Antarctica. We will also be working on some kind of satellites for NASA so it should be interesting work. I am completely jet-lagged at this point and am about to turn in, tomorrow should be a busy day!
Wow! Sounds pretty awesome! And cold. Glad you made it. Crazy about the earthquakes! Sounds like it will be a pretty cool place. Keep posting and taking pics. I want to see a pic of a penguin!
ReplyDeleteIncredible! Glad you made it and got to experience that aftershock. The earth truly is alive. Like KT says, we're also looking forward to more about the ice and more pics of you and perhaps a penguin or two. Enjoy your time there and stay safe and warm.
ReplyDeleteThey sound like wusses with the cold weather gear. We both know I would be sporting the usual T-Shirt and shorts just fine. I'm sure negative 39 can't be too cold!
ReplyDeletethat is so coool do not put wirenuts in your mouth they will stick lol paul
ReplyDelete