Just as Shackleton was tent bound more than 100 years ago on this day due to weather, so are we. Last night’s dreams were influenced by strong katabatic winds that find our tents minor obstacles to be trifled with and whipped about in a frenzy of creaks, slaps, and groans. The whistling gravity-driven zephyrs steadily increased through the “night” to over 8 meters per second, transporting snow and ice crystals thus making for a ground blizzard, that when mixed with a cold 32 degrees of frost causes meteorite collecting to be not only difficult but dangerous. Collection requires bare-hands to do some of the more intricate tasks and with the risk of cold-related injuries to exposed skin in these conditions it is most prudent to wait for better weather. The polar acoustics also include ice crystals colliding with the walls of one’s tent producing a sound similar to that of wind-driven rain. It is amazing how we adapt to the sounds associated with being buffeted and sleep well amidst the fury surrounding us, and are more disturbed by the quiet of calm winds and the deafening silence that will once again blanket our camp.

You may recall that our team had not yet reunited by Christmas, prompting us to forgo our celebration until we were complete. Alex suggested that we could share a meal on January 7th, the traditional Russian Christmas, but good weather found us out hunting meteorites that day. We decided to hold off on our celebration until a “tent day”, when we would have the energy to fix a collective meal and exchange presents. Tonight we will meet for that shared dinner and to open gifts under our holiday tent.

While Shackleton was worried about diminishing supplies consumed while tent-bound, that could spell disaster. We take advantage of the lull to rest and recuperate from the demands of our activities, including resting highly contagious skidoo-thumb injuries. These days are also used to read, record events and feeling in our expedition diaries and prepare more elaborate meals. Today Alex and I shared a sausage, onion, peppers, and cheese egg-scramble, and now my friend is now laboring over a hot stove to make a secret dessert.

Tent organizing and cleaning, while boring, helps us to find some of our belongings. Living in Antarctica and dealing with all the accompanying complications requires a lot of gear and clothing. It is a challenge to keep everything arranged so that you can find it when you need it, “Big Red”, our goose down coats have so many pockets that recovery of a specific item becomes a one person shell game at times, so it is the wise hunter who has a place for everything, and everything in its place. There is method to the routine of our tent lives; when returning from the cold our “bunny boots” along with other items of outer wear are hung from the top of the tent to dry, while our insulated clothing is pushed against the walls of the tent on the upwind side to create a warm sleeping nest.

It is now time for me to prepare my portion this evening’s feast, so I will I bid all farewell and good night.

Happy 2014,

– posted by Steve  (editing by rph)