(Note that this post was delayed due to overall low battery power in our devices–but now the solar panels are set up, we are back up and ready to blog!)

Today the winds simmered down, the stars aligned, and our remaining team members were able to make it to Iggy. After hugs, we set to work to help our excellent Basler team Kaiser, Will, and Jason unload the cargo quickly so that they could escape before Iggy decided to keep them here with some more super fun high winds. We’ve still got a few more odds and ends to get out to the field, so hopefully we’ll be seeing them sooner rather than later (thanks guys!). We spent the afternoon setting up the remaining tents, getting cargo organized, and setting up our solar panels. With a bit of extra time to make dinner, Team Sparkle decided to take it to the next level and made a from-scratch risotto with sausage, broccoli, and collard greens. Who says you can’t eat well in the field?? In a bit we’ll have our first all-hands meeting in the science tent. In the meantime here’s a picture of what it looks like to clean out a skidoo that has been completely packed full of blowing snow. Antarctica sure knows how to show us a good time!
–Posted by Nina in a cozy risotto-scented tent at Iggy Ridge, 18 December 2015

P.S. I know you’re all watching Star Wars instead of reading this post and I’m going to pretend to be fine with that. But no spoilers OR ELSE.