Yesterday marked the beginning of the end of the ANSMET 2015-2016 season. As you know, 4 team members (Cindy, Ellen, Morgan, Nina) were pulled from the field in a double flight with tons of gear and precious cargo (the samples kept safe, inventoried, and frozen). After a brief shock of returning to civilization, we have started to work our way back to our old ways of life – exchanging the ice chipping (for water) and using primitive facilities for hot food from the galley and hot showers. Now that we sort-of pass for normal humans we have begun to clean and return our gear so it can be used in years to come. It is both sad and satisfying to be at this point in the season.

Those of us in McMurdo keep our thoughts with Jim and Brian who remain in the field with the rest of the gear (most of which is headed to Shackleton to be stored for next season). We hope that the weather in McMurdo clears up, it is currently snowing heavily, and that they are able to safely pull out of the field soon. (Note: Johnny and Con are still waiting to deploy for their recon mission at Elephant Moraine- weather in McMurdo has not been cooperating.)

Yesterday’s flight northward passed our original field location in the North Miller range. I found myself reminiscing about the time we spend there and the work we accomplished. We also passed over the impressive glaciers associated with the Trans-Antarctic Mountains. These are the passageways that early explorers used to further our knowledge of this continent and seek the pole. I could not help but be impressed and awed by what they had to navigate with little to no perspective on what lay ahead of them. Seeing this terrain from the air really puts their trials and achievements into perspective. Being a part of ANSMET has given me not only valuable scientific insight into planetary science materials recovery but a newfound respect for Antarctica and all its treasures.

-Updates from Ellen, feeling thoughtful and clean in McMurdo, 20 January 2016