A lovely old meteorite recovery scene from 40 years ago (the 84-85 season), starring Catherine King-Frazier and mountaineer Carl Thompson. 

Jim received this email  earlier today (the day before the team departs for Antarctica):

” Hi Jim,
NSF has finished our review of the ANSMET procedures for documentation, collection, and curation of meteorites for the 2023-2024 season and found them to be in compliance with the regulations in 45 C.F.R. part 674. Please find attached a letter to this effect, attached to your submitted plans for your work this season.
Please let me know if you have any questions, and best of luck for a successful season.
Best,
Andrew
—
Andrew Titmus, Ph.D.
Environmental Program Manager
Office of Polar Programs
National Science Foundation  ”

This is one of the critical bits of “approval”among the dozens that are required each year.

If you’re not clear on what regulation 45 C.F.R. part 674 is,   click on the link here (or above)……..

Approval is one of those unreal things that are absolutely essential to the civilized world.  I need to write a book entitled “The Search for Approval”.  Oh wait,  many already exist.

Godspeed to the rest of the crew, who are departing tomorrow (wednesday)……..

-Ralph,  from wintery Novelty OH (10 inches of snow last night).