Greetings from McMurdo, where half of the ANSMET will be spending Christmas! Two LC-130s arrived here yesterday from Christchurch so we were optimistic about getting out to CTAM today. Getting the Herc that’s currently stuck at the South Pole back to McMurdo is the priority for flights on continent so the one flight that got out today was heading that way. Now our flight to CTAM is closer to the top of the priority list, putting us one theoretical step closer to rejoining the rest of the team in Miller Range – unwavering optimism is the only way! Since we can’t learn about meteorite hunting and collection right now, the universe is giving us lessons in patience, resourcefulness, and gratitude. This is an incredibly thoughtful and valuable gift!

We are still finding lots of interesting things to do around town! We were fortunate enough to tour the pressure ridges near Scott Base before they were closed for the summer. These pressure ridges are formed by tension created between the sea ice in McMurdo Sound and the Ross Ice Shelf. Water at this intersection freezes and expands during the winter, making huge chunks and waves of ice pop up and look like ice mountains! The ice is weak there so seals can easily make dive holes in it (which they chew with their teeth!!), which they use to come up onto the ice to sun bathe and relax. Consequently, it’s the best place around McMurdo to see them. It’s difficult to not anthropomorphize them, but they seem to look at you with big, sweet eyes full of curiosity and absent of fear. It’s an incredible experience to be so close to such a large creature you’ve (probably) only ever seen in a zoo and feel like a guest in his house. It’s truly an honor!

Some pictures: