Well, we’re hunkered down, waiting out the snows of McMurdo, hoping the promised good weather of the latter part of the week will find its way to us. While we’re waiting, we’ve found all kinds of activities in town. We’ve raided the skua bins to find free treasures, gone into the town shop daily just to browse, and today we spent the afternoon getting ready for trivia night. Occasionally we also venture outside and either hike or run the different trails around town. The Hut Point loop begins down by Scott Hut and Vince’s cross, then climbs up onto a ridge where you get great views of the sea ice and the Royal Society range, about 30 miles away. Then it continues around toward Arrival Heights, with views of Erebus and the cinder cones in the foreground, and the lovely ice sheet on the way to Castle Rock. Then it drops down through town and past the vast cargo yard, gradually welcoming you back to civilization, or the kinder, gentler McMurdo version. Our favorite is probably the Ob Hill loop, which starts down below the Helo pad and climbs up around Ob Hill with views down to the pressure ridges, Willie Field and Scott Base. Lately, there are pools of deep blue water around the pressure ridges as the sea ice melts at the margins, and a few days ago I counted twelve seals, including some babies, lounging on the ice. While out, I always pause (to catch my breath, let’s be honest…) and look across the flat expanse of sea ice, trying to gaze through the low clouds toward our field site at Elephant Moraine. I am breathtaken at the beauty of the place and can’t believe I’m actually here. Let’s hope tomorrow is our day! – Jani 28 December 2016