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Showing posts from October, 2007

Back on The Ice

My time in Christchurch was good and fairly brief. I was able to enjoy a breakfast at the Windsor Hotel and some Ginger Tom beer. I was outfitted with cold weather clothing at the CDC and off the next day to MCM. We had a good flight. I was able to visit the cockpit while flying over the Transantarctic Mountains... beautiful icy peaks poking out of the low clouds. Upon arrival with the plane doors open, I emerged on a familiar place where it felt nothing had changed. Time away from here feels like it is preserved in a dream. The weather has been colder than previous years. After getting settle here in McMurdo Station, Liz and I quickly shift to preparing our equipment and attending field refresher training. Its also really good to see old friends down here, its quite an extraordinary community down here. I am glad I wore clothes I liked because my luggage is still missing. Its good to be reminded that I really don't need all that stuff. Not yet at least.

9,042 miles

I now live closer to a large airport than in any other time in my life. The frequent sounds of small craft overhead have been incorporated into the background of my life. This morning is an exception. I awake to the groans of a commercial airliner laboring on its decent to Portland. The sound of planes seems more relevant, today I begin my journey south. With last minute packing completed my friend Rhonda gives me a ride to the airport... 230pm - Portland - I am bounced between airliners as my original flight was late. I get all the extra treatment in security for having all the last minute changes. 630pm -Los Angeles - Arrive in LAX and meet up with my field partner Liz. We grab sushi and head through security. 830pm - Begin the long journey over the Pacific. Got some good sleep in. watched "Once" and a documentary on El Nino. - - - Crossed international dateline and entered "the future" - - - 530am - Arrive in Aucklund after 12 hour flight. One bag missing. (U...

the preparation

The time is upon me to prepare for another trip to the ice. My life is wrapped in lists... work lists: write programs (for aspirated fan, TDR, conductivity), backup data, calibrate probes, compile GPS points; and personal lists... cancel phone, remove car insurance, $ chapstick and sunglasses, pay remaining bills, catch up with family and friends before leaving. Oh, I haven't forgotten coffee. About 3 weeks ago, I sent a package to myself on the ice with coffee (4lbs) and chipotle. Two things that improve life... anywhere. Current packing consists of a big pile of clothes in my room and a large number of sensors and coils of wires at work. Soon it will coalesce into two large cases for a 9042 mile adventure. Just one week to go.