McMurdo knows its clientele are explorers, so the Thanksgiving menu has often been a map. From 2016 if you didn’t notice the label….
Hi everyone, another update from Brian in McMurdo…..
“Made it to McM yesterday and am getting settled in. Because it’s Thanksgiving weekend I haven’t been able to secure a meeting with fixed wing, but word on the street makes it sound like they are already behind schedule and backed up. I’ve touched base with most of the other folks I need to here and after the holiday weekend should be able to get a bunch done next week. I’m planning on spending tomorrow digging through the shipping container and will be sending some lists and pictures of what is in there soon so you can weigh in on what should be sent back state side and what can be trashed. I don’t expect I’ll get through it all but hopefully I’ll get a good start.
Overall things seem about the same here in town. Surprisingly little in terms of the station rebuild seems to have been completed and the frosty boy machine is still out of order. There is now wifi available in the dorms and folks can text home with their smartphones.
In terms of CDC equipment, it seems like people shouldn’t expect much more than big red, wind pants, fleece pants and jacket, goggles, hat and work gloves and boots.”
A few other things worthy of note.
-There are lots of other entities on the move in Antarctica, including girl-empowering Welsh fire-fighters, the UN Secretary-General, a cyclist riding a sweet fat-bike, giant icebergs, stoic Brits, and large passenger aircraft. Clearly the Antarctic austral summer is well-underway.
-ANSMET’s “main body” of field party members will be departing the US next wednesday…. er, I should note some depart from Canada, eh? That’s allowed now. In any case, I can hear a lot of frantic packing in the distance. Join me in wishing them all easy loads to bear. From what Brian says, there’s some serious fashion choices to be made.
-Forgive me for a brief, somewhat crotchity editorial comment. I barf in my mouth a little bit whenever I hear adventures claim they’re crossing Antarctica for “climate awareness” or “to inspire young people”. Just once I would love to hear one of them say ” I’m doing it because I can get donors to pay for my trip to Antarctica where I can test my huge ego with new toys”!
-Don’t get me wrong, I think ego is a fantastic, extremely valuable tool, a power that can be used for good. Most scientists who have had significant impact were driven, at least a little, by their egos. But honesty is significantly more important than ego. Let’s not rationalize the overall carbon impact of your trip (particularly if you need to be rescued) and what it’s really teaching a young person.
-Ralph, from frosty Novelty OH