Antarctic Field Training, Kiwi Style

I spent last night in a polar (Scott) tent on an ice shelf in Antarctica. It was a "required" snow school training event since I haven't been to Antarctica with the New Zealand program before. It was warm - just below freezing - and there was no wind for the entire afternoon, evening, night and morning.  Two of those on the school (Devin - part of my team - and Karl - a photographer, videographer) slept out, completely out!  Karl complained that his nose got sunburned over night. Today is Karl's 22nd birthday, and he is thrilled to have started it sleeping out in Antarctica.  Here he is in the back of a Hagglund (I looked on a vehicle to spell it approximately right...).



We took a drive up to Castle Rock in the evening. This is me with Mt. Erebus in the background.  (It's the southernmost active volcano in the world and overlies a hot spot.)


And here is our field trainer Matt (left) and fellow student and reporter Deidre (right).



And here is Karl's photo of out field team:



We had a great time.

Devin, Anne, and I fly to Lake Vanda mid-day tomorrow via helicopter. We are using Kiwi-style power in the field, but have a US generator to run my microscopes. However, we almost forgot an appropriate extension cord and power strip. I'll run to the US McMurdo Station in the morning to get one.  (Technically, I'm getting a ride rather than running, but it is within running distance if the weather is nice.  But I'm not a cross country runner like Sasha is!)

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