We got so close today to deploying.  After being on standby most of the day, we got word about 3:30 pm that our flights were on and that the first group needed to be at the transportation area at 5:15 pm.  The second group would be heading out about three hours later.

As soon as we got word we all headed off to our rooms to prepare.  We needed to get into our cold weather gear and to gather up all our items.  If people had things that they were planning on leaving in McMurdo, then they needed to haul that stuff over to the ANSMET storage area.  You needed to strip your bed and clear out of your room.  And, you needed to eat dinner, if you were hungry.  If not, you needed to make a sack lunch to take with you.

At 5:00 the team was going to meet to head over to the transportation area.  Devon and I were at the appointed location a few minute early.  There happened to be a TV there that lists all the upcoming flights.  All of a sudden, as we were chit-chatting, every single C130 flight on the manliest turned red.  They were all cancelled. 

An ice fog was coming in and the runway was now closed.  

And so we wait more.  Maybe later this evening we will know if tomorrow is a possibility.

Picture Caption:  Ice fog rolling off the hill tops. 

– posted by Shannon, Dec 15, McMurdo