Journey to the Ice

Day 1 of the journey to Antartica was completed successfully, I guess you could say it's been 2 days since we crossed the international dateline on the way to New Zealand.  The journey started at 5:50pm on Thursday the 25th of September with stops in San Francisco, Auckland and finally Christchurch.  I will be in Christchurch for 2 days with most of the time being spent at the United States Antartica Program (USAP) office.  Briefings, orientations and the issue of cold weather gear.  I did take the bus to downtown Christchurch to do some exploring.  Lots of construction as the downtown area has a 25 year plan to rebuild from the earthquake in 2010.  We were scheduled to depart for the ice on Monday September 29 which was delayed 24 hours due to weather in Antartica.  I arrived in Antartica on Tuesday September 30 and the weather was CLEAR, COLD & CALM.  Negative 21 was the temperature with no wind and visibility unlimited.  I felt as if I had arrive on another planet.  The last couple of days have been full of safety briefings and more briefings on Mcmurdo.  I have been here a week and no other plane has made it down to the Ice due to weather.   It's now time to start my training and get into a routine of what life will be like on the ice.  Hoping the weather will improve so I can do some training.

United States Antarctic Program Hanger

Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Christchurch New Zealand which was heavy damaged in the earthquake in September of 2010

Checking in for the flight to McMurdo Station in Antartica.

My ride to the ice, a military C-17.

Looking to the back of the airplane from my seat.  The is still open as they load all the luggage and other cargo that needed to be delivered.  There are 5 airline type seats in a row and seating along the side of the airplane.

Waiting for take off.  Palets of luggage in the back.

Looking out over the ice in McMurdo.

Weather radar antenna on top of the hill.

Another view looking out over the ice.  They say this will break up around
December as the cargo ships come in to unload and take things away.

Looking out over the ice with a mountain in the back round and a
snowmobile off to the left.