Erin, Lauren, and Daniela help make cookies in the station kitchen. Apparently 4000 cookies are planned for the upcoming holiday dinner (the station population is ~800).  OMG are those BUCKEYES!!!?!?!

The team eagerly awaits flights to deploy into the field. This morning Brian and Amelia were backup to fly on a Twin Otter to the field site to start grooming, but ended up not flying. We are hoping that they make it out before Christmas, with the rest of the team flying out approximately between Dec 26 and 29.

As we wait we continue with our preparations and also have the chance to explore McMurdo and gain a glimpse of station life here. Yesterday, some of the team took time to volunteer in the galley to help with Christmas dinner preparations by decorating cookies.

The hike down from Observation Point with McMurdo in the background. The big blue building in the center of McMurdo is one of the main buildings with lots of offices, the galley, and some dorms (including those where we are staying). The circular tanks including the one with the big NSF logo all hold fuel to keep the station power plant and vehicles running. From left to right: Minako, Daniela, Jon, Robert, and Erin.

Today, the team went on a hike up Observation Hill next to McMurdo that gives a great overview of the station and surrounding terrain. Ob Hill, as it is commonly known, is actually a lava dome, and is now topped with a large wooden memorial cross erected in memory of the party members of Scott’s failed South Pole Expedition

The group receives training on the HF radio that we will bring into the field as a backup. Here we learn how to arrange the antenna within the big gym room at McMurdo. From left to right are Betsy and Olaf (both with station comms), Jim, Minako, Erin, and Jon.

The team also took time to get trained in HF (shortwave) radio. Along with our satellite phones, will take a HF radio into the field as a backup form of communication. The High-Frequency (HF) radio requires rigging up a large antenna and directing it towards McMurdo to communicate, and there are two McMurdo ops channels that are continuously monitored in case of emergency.

The ‘Kress’ is one of the many unique vehicles seen around McMurdo. (Note from rph: That thing pushes my buttons.  I’m sure someone with an awesome budget but no clue about the needs for maneuverability, low ground pressure, fuel and maintenance costs, road damage, etc. in McMurdo, thought this was a great upgrade over Ivan the Terrabus). 

Spending time in McMurdo station also allows us to gain a glimpse of the station life here. Many of the station workers arrived in August with “WinFly”, the start of the summer season, and some will stay through the entire Antarctic winter. Most of the staff work long hours (~60 hr weeks) with only one day off per week, keeping the station operational.

With a population hovering at about 800, it’s a bit less busy than in years past. There are still lots of activities and organized events posted on the board. The station buzz this year revolves around a missing game cube ($600 reward for info on its whereabouts), which has turned into a bit of a station meme. As the Christmas holiday closes in more decorations go up, and the station awaits a well deserved holiday and mid-summer celebration.

-Robert, from McMurdo Station