Monday morning the team headed out to do a shakedown. In a shakedown we camp for one night near McMurdo to do a test-run for the field, making sure all our tents and camping equipment are in good order and training us how to set up and take down...
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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...
Greetings ANSMET enthusiasts!
If you've been reading about our progress you know we've made it to McMurdo Station, prepping to get into the field. When we were last here, in January 2020, work had begun on the "Master Plan"- a grand scheme to upgrade the whole of McMurdo station; modernize,...
We had a great second day in McMurdo!
The day started at the Berg Field Center (the “BFC”) to sort through our sleep kits, kitchen boxes, and tent boxes to make sure we’re ready to eat, sleep, and survive in the field! The sleeping bags are rated to minus 60...
Yesterday, the ANSMET crew finally arrived on the Ice after several delays, including one final one. We boarded the bus and headed to the airport across the street from the terminal.
We pulled up to the aircraft, only to turn back around because of a one hour delay. A mini...
When I got up this morning I found I had received the following text:
Yes, that is a text from McMurdo, sent by Minako! We had heard it was now possible to send and receive a few texts per day from McMurdo (just text, no photos), but it didn't...
For an old fart like me, it's amazing to get near-real-time updates. Two pics from Minako texted to me at the moment of departure (about 4:30 pm EST, 10:30 am CHC time)!
As Dr. Righter reports, their ride is the legendary Kiwi Herc. Slow (about 7.5 hrs minimum), noisy...
As of a few minutes ago, the team finished their final pre-flight briefing. Here's hoping they are in the air soon and safely on their way to McMurdo!
-Ralph
Hi everyone, this is yet another post that's mostly a photo-dump.
When the team found out two days ago they'd have the full day off Wednesday (their Wednesday, not mine in the US), they rented a car for a day trip to Lake Tekapo, about 3 hrs drive SW...
No, that's not a euphemism. At least I don't think it is.
Apparently on their day off yesterday, four of the gang went off to a winery for a tasting, a picnic AND to feed the eels. That is definitely a new one for ANSMET field party members in...