condition 1

You know something is going on when you find the following message in your inbox:

From: Williams, Andrew (Drew)
Sent: Thursday, November 08, 2007 3:21 AM
To: McQuiston, Samantha; Grass, Megan; Skews, Geoff
Subject: FW: WEEK THREE MENU 11-8 THROUGH 11-14

THE MENU BEGINNING THURSDAY. THERE WILL BE CHANGES DUE TO THE LACK OF FRESHIES.
SO SORRY. DREW

It's the weather. We haven't seen a C-17 flight from Christchurch for over a week; and therefore, no freshies and we haven't seen package mail since October 17!

Now, picture waddling outside, bundled up like a massive red penguin with marshmallow-like layers of warm clothing. You have a small hatch in your hood which lets enough shocking cold air in that you wish wasn't there. Snowflakes get in your eyes and cloud your vision, and icicles run off your cheeks. Your entire face begins to look like a frosted birthday cake. The wind echos over head as it rips through the air and you can also hear it whip and flap against the cold weather gear you have on. Snow snakes slither along the ground, wrap around your feet, and occasionally flare up off the dirt and snow. The only noise you hear beyond the wind gusts is the crunching of snow under your insulated boots and the insulated consistent steady air you breath in and out through your parka. Wind blows so hard, your legs are shifted involuntarily in the air before they step down. At times it feels like you are doing the moon walk against the gusts. It's then, that you look out of the small window in your parka, wish you had goggles, but can't see a thing anyway. Then, you keep walking in hopes of find a door and a place to shed layers.

We had a Condition 1 storm in town two days ago. We had an advanced warning at work and our department exited our building in search of the galley right as they called the Condition 1 storm. The walk down the hill and between buildings was more adventurous than usual. I am happy it's not usually like that; but thrilled to be out in some Antarctic weather conditions!

The first picture is the sun during our Condition 1 storm. The second is of our condition scroll right after my cold walk.