Dramatic sky as seen by Minako on a hike.
Just like the movie Groundhog Day, we woke up (again) to the news that our team would not be flying today. The weather at McMurdo looks great, but there was a higher priority mission that needed the Basler to pull out a team working at the Kamb Ice Stream (a joint US-NZ mission). We’re hoping they were successful in completing that work and that some other missions got out today on the Twin Otters, which will free up the queue for ANSMET flights in the near future. Tomorrow (Friday Jan 5) Minako and Daniela are scheduled as backup on the Basler, with another backup opportunity on the Twin Otter. The primary missions for the planes are to locations that have had bad weather lately, so we’re feeling cautiously optimistic that something will free up to take our team members to the field tomorrow!
The USCG icebreaker nearing town, with lots of spectators at Hut Point.
In other McMurdo news, an icebreaker is quickly approaching in McMurdo Sound, making way for a cargo vessel which will resupply the station. It’s slowly breaking through the sea ice, and we’ve been watching the progress over the past few days. Today it finally arrived in front of the station, and it’s currently working to break through the ice to create a turn-around location and allow broken ice to flow back out. It’s definitely fun to watch!
Lauren does some California Dreamin’ on the Pebble Beach of the south.
As for how we spent our Thursday: Jim had some productive conversations with our science implementer this morning and we’re feeling good about upcoming flight opportunities. Minako enjoyed a windy hike on the Hut Point Loop in the morning, and Daniela took a peaceful walk along the sound, trying to enjoy all the views before a hopeful departure tomorrow. Erin went on an uphill run towards Scott Base and finished reading a book. Jon and Robert and I worked from the Crary library for a bit, with beautiful views of the sound but no penguin sightings today. In the late afternoon I took a stroll down to Hut Point and watched the icebreaker make good progress. The snow has melted enough to clear a path to a small beach, which made for a nice sheltered spot to take in the views (Pebble Beach of the south?). After dinner (burrito night!) most of the team went back down to Hut Point to watch the ice breaker. Now let’s hope that we all get out to the field before the vessel makes it to station!
-Lauren from McMurdo