Not too much to share this week. Some logistical priorities changed in addition to some personnel swaps which delayed us early in the week. Then, bad weather rolled back in to close out the window of opportunity of getting out later this week. Additionally, I finally caught some of the crud that’s been going around, so I spent a lot of the later half of the week resting in my room. We are getting very restless!
Earlier in the week, we were able to go out to the Long Duration Balloon Facility out on the ice shelf.
The Long Duration Balloon (LDB) project in Antarctica is primarily run by NASA’s Scientific Balloon Program with support from the National Science Foundation (NSF). Its purpose is to launch large, unmanned, helium-filled balloons that carry heavy scientific payloads (things like telescopes and instruments) high into the Earth’s stratosphere aka “near space.”
I additionally, along with my other weather co-worker, got a chance to meet with their meteorologist and it’s cool to see them still hand plotting charts, in addition to all of the other sophisticated weather equipment they had. Apparently, they will have some openings this fall and while it’s a travel position, it’s based out of Texas and you have to be local.
The PUEO group is one of the science groups that is expected out at camp this year. You can check out their specific work at: https://pueo.space/
For more about the LDB project, check out: https://www.csbf.nasa.gov/antarctica/payloads.htm
On Saturday, we did a tour of Arrival Heights. The site is part of an official protected area under the Antarctic Treaty (ASPA 122). This status helps protect the environment, preserve electromagnetic quiet, and regulate access for scientific work.
Because of its sensitive instrumentation, this area imposes strict access and operational restrictions like limiting radio transmissions, vehicle lights, and movement to prevent interference with experiments.
https://www.ats.aq/devph/en/apa-database/27
Apparently, for our Kiwi friends, Dec 6th, is “Crate Day”.
Crate Day in New Zealand began in 2010 and was promoted by a radio station called “The Rock”. The idea was to celebrate the start of summer by sharing a crate of beer with friends. This event quickly gained popularity and became an unofficial national holiday. Our fine “janos” here posted a reminder that puke belongs in the Food Waste bin, not the urinal or other locations on stations of years past.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crate_Day
Otherwise, I will share some other fun things about McMurdo, as well as answer a few questions that have been asked:
- Who won Fat Seal Pup?
2. What do my dorm accommodations look like? There are several different types of dorms at McMurdo based on seniority, transit vs full season, military, grantee etc.
I’m currently in a transit dorm, which can hold up to 3 people and has bathrooms down the hall (1st floor men/ 2nd floor women). We additionally have a laundry room with three washers and five dryers. There is also a lounge with a TV that can do AFN, DVD, and PlayStation. Some other dorms have 2 pax rooms with an adjoining toilet/shower and even a sauna downstairs! (the “uppercase” dorms- people with seniority) and some can fit up to 5 people per room. All depends! They’re currently building new dorms that will have mostly single rooms, while much smaller, having your own space is a hot commodity.
How cold is it actually? Do you have to be in your ECW every time you step outside?
No. I don’t have to be in my ECW everytime I’m outside. The average temperature is about 25F with a wind chill about 15 to -5F. My clothing varies day to day based on will I be working outside or just having to walk from building to building? It is snowing, windy, blowing snow, etc? Am I headed to an airfield or going out on the sea ice?
The only time it’s REQUIRED to have your ECW is when going out on the sea ice or to an airfield. Otherwise, dress yourself as you wish. Obviously, the sun is up full time, so I am in either glacier glasses or goggles (if windy) and time outside and YES you will get sunburned. My camp attire will switch to mostly ECW since I am more or less living full time outside.
What gym facilities do you have? There are three gyms on station. A weight gym (I thought I took pictures but I don’t have any currently), a “gerbil” gym, and the big gym.
I’m still fighting to get over this crud/sinus infection/cold, but going to watch the Big Ten Championship game with some folks and hopefully look forward to FINALLY heading out this week. If we are not out by Friday, we will have set the record for the latest put in date for WAIS Divide and are allegedly going to throw a party.
I hope everyone has a great rest of the weekend and a special Happy Birthday to my nephew, Hudson! Feel free to message me more questions and I’ll get to them in a future post.
Sorry, Erin, to hear you have been sick. Hope with each passing day you feel better. It’s always so great to read your posts. Take care of yourself🙏🏻❤️🙋🏻♀️
Hi Erin,
Sorry to hear you are sick! I thought down there the freeze would freeze the germs!!
Feel better before your fly out!!
Love,
Jackie & Papa
Love love love your blog, Erin! I binged on all of your entries this morning. What an exhilarating experience! Thank you for sharing it!
Safe travels – hugs & love!