The team assembled in Science Cargo to load up some pallets. From left to right: Jon Friedrich, Jim Karner, Daniela Hernandez, Robert Citron, Minako Righter, Lauren Edgar, and Brian Rougeux (with Erin Gibbons and the selfie stick out front).
Today marks an exciting step in our journey as we gear up for the deep field! The team was bustling with energy as we packed up the bags full of the gear we’ll need to safely recover meteorites from our field site.
Here’s a glimpse into today’s packing list:
Personal Extreme Cold Weather Gear: At our field site we’re expecting very low temperatures (averaging around -20° C) and aggressive wind. But we’ve got the heavy-duty gear to match. Think layers, layers, and more layers! Today we each packed up large duffle bags with some of the warmest under-layers that we’ll need for that layering system to work.
Hand and Foot Warmers: A small but critical comfort that makes a world of difference when you’re miles from the nearest heater.
Satellite Phones: Our lifeline to the outside world. These will keep us connected, ensuring we can call for support or just check in with loved ones.
Solar Panels and Power Banks: Harnessing the endless daylight during the Antarctic summer to keep our batteries charged – including those for the satellite phones!
And of course….
Meteorite Collection Kits: The heart of our mission! These kits are specially designed to collect and preserve meteorites in their pristine state.
After meticulously packing, weighing, measuring, and labeling each item, our gear was sent to join the “cargo stream” for a thorough inspection. This step is vital to ensure that everything is secure and ready for transport on the Basler aircraft. We’re counting down the days until we can board that plane ourselves and head to the field—fingers crossed, that will be next week!
Minako hauling some personal gear for the field. That expression suggests she’s skeptical (or envious) about something one of her teammates is packing…….
Jim and Brian dedicated their afternoon to diligently overseeing the cargo shipment, ensuring everything was in order for our journey. Meanwhile, the rest of the team enjoyed some well-deserved free time, each finding their own way to unwind and recharge. Robert, Lauren, and Minako embarked on a beautiful hike, soaking in the breathtaking vistas along the Observation Hill Loop. Meanwhile, I (Erin) laced up my running shoes for a rejuvenating jog around McMurdo station, Jon opted for a restful nap, and Daniela spent her time backing-up photos and catching up with family over the phone.
Lauren, Minako and Robert setting out on the Observation Hill loop trail. That’s White Island in the background above them, Black Island to the right.
As Monday evening sets in and I type up this blog post, our team is actively preparing overnight expedition bags for tomorrow’s “shakedown”. This is a dry run where we’ll test the critical survival gear that hasn’t been packed yet, including our tents, sleeping kits, cooking gear, snowmobiles, and outerwear. This process is essential to confirm that every piece of equipment operates reliably under the harsh Antarctic conditions. Stay tuned for an upcoming blog post about our shakedown adventures!
-Erin Gibbons from McMurdo