I woke up a couple times Wednesday morning in Christchurch looking for a note under my door explaining a delay or cancellation of our flight. An extra day in Christchurch was my aim, but our cargo flight took off as scheduled and the C-17 landed safely on the Annual Sea Ice Runway. Our temporary ice runway is less than a mile from McMurdo Station. In January, ice breaker ships came down to clear a channel through the sea ice so the fuel tanker, research vessels, and cargo ship can arrive at the McMurdo ice pier. When this channel refreezes in the winter, it provides a great place for runway construction.
This year I was given a tour of the flight deck. Those pilots have quite a view literally underfoot. There is a corner window below their boots.We landed in near ideal conditions. My nose hairs didn't even freeze like they did last year. It was a gorgeous -25F, but the winds were low and the sun was shining when we touched down. I had forgotten how huge and amazing the mountains are. Even Ob Hill next to station seems to tower higher than I remember.
After an arrival brief, we all received room assignments. Sadly, I'll have three roommates again this year, but happily, I will be living with my good friend, Char, this year.After an overwhelming supper with my new McMurdo "family," I crashed in my room and went to bed. Unpacking can wait!
The pictures are of the pack ice as we flew further south, the continent's landscape and the C-17 parked on the Ross Sea.
2 comments:
Glad to hear you made it safely to the Ice for another summer of adventures! We are having an Indian summer here with temps in the 70's and 80's - nothing like your -25F. Don't you wish you were back in the Northern Hemisphere??? :-)
Eek! I can't believe you're there already! It seems like I just starting reading your summer blog! Hope you are doing well, and I'll be visiting often to hear of your adventures! Oh, BTW, Carey liked your idea best for Ellie's hair bands! Guess I'll be shopping for carabiners! Thanks!
K
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