GSArrrrrr!

From 20090731-GSAR

Last Friday we had an excellent day of GSAR. We spent a little time reviewing snow anchors and roping up for glacier travel, then off to the flag line we went. Normally we are only allowed to hike within the flags when we go up on the glacier, but this day we were prepared for something a bit more adventurous.

From 20090731-GSAR

After exploring the backside of the glacier for a while we started making our way over to shortcut point, our final destination for the day. Along the way we probed for crevasses and in some places we were clearly walking on thin air. The snow bridges are nice and strong though, so we didn't ever punch through.

From 20090731-GSAR

Once we were above our destination, we built a snow bollard anchor and lowered each other down. A snow bollard is a kind of anchor built by carving a round shape out of the snow and wrapping a bit of webbing around it. The angle was fairly mild, but it was a good exercise in snow anchors and rope handling.

From 20090731-GSAR

Once down at sea level we passed a few penguins and petrels on our way out to the point. By now it was getting dark, though it was probably only mid-afternoon.

From 20090731-GSAR

Palmer Station's finest taxi service! A few buddies from OSAR were gracious enough to come pick us up for a free ride back to station. Gotta love OSAR.

From 20090831-BoatingAndSnowshoeing

Our final descent point was only a narrow stretch of sloped snow surrounded by calving ice. If we had been off by a 100 yards in either direction we would have been walking right off a cliff. Our GSAR leader did well with route finding and we nailed our destination on the first shot.

Not knowing what to expect for the day I have to say that it was one of the best days out I've had in a while. July was a quiet month for outdoor activities. Winter laziness has been setting in a bit I think.

Thanks to all my comrades who came out with me. Pleasure getting out on the ice with y'all.

Fire & Ice

Hello everyone,

From 20090630-Sunsets

I saw the sun yesterday. I suppose if I had climbed the glacier over the last few days or perhaps hiked up to Terralab up on the hill I might have seen it sooner. But for me, it shined through the window for the first time yesterday morning just before noon. The wall lit up with shadows and sunlight and I had to pause my conversation to take an opportunity to stare out into it (for at least a few seconds). A few minutes later I was outside basking in it, and I swear it felt like a drug.

From 20090700-LateJuly

We haven't actually been in the darkness really at all if you get right down to it. Our shortest day was around 4 hours and those hours were fairly bright. On the other hand every morning and evening has been really dark and the day is never quite long enough.

One absolutely wonderful privilege we've had is an endless stream of amazing sunrises. I posted a few before, but I think it's only fair to let you all in on a few more :

From 20090630-Sunsets

From 20090630-Sunsets

From 20090630-Sunsets

From 20090630-Sunsets

Besides the sun, we've also had some interesting ice pass by:

From 20090700-LateJuly

From 20090700-LateJuly

From 20090700-LateJuly

Though we passed the solstice a month ago and the sun is now coming up over the glacier, the winter still hasn't fully set in. Our coldest month is yet to come, and with it we might even see the ocean around us freeze completely solid. Even if it doesn't we have a lot of cold snowy days headed our way.

It will be a long winter yet...

Pier Jumping

The last northbound ship left us on the morning of June 26th and along with it went the last of those who came with me southbound what seems like ages ago. The ship also carried away a few friends that were here before me as well as the guests who were here only for the port call. The rest of us are in it for the long haul until September. Our official number is now 16 after a few last minute deployments and re-deployments, and it's a solid group. Glad to be a part of it.

As is customary we all jumped off the pier in honor of our departing friends. It's just as cold as it looks, but nothing a quick (or not-so-quick) dip in the hot tub can't fix.


(video courtesy of Will Brubaker)


Seeing our friends standing at the railing waiving as they cruised off made me think about how hard it's going to be to leave when my day finally comes. Everything happens so quickly. We've all been thrown together here and it seems like we'll be here together forever, but one day we'll all step onto the ship and watch the station grow small on the horizon as we're carried away, while all of our friends on the shore will be waiving and screaming as they jump in the water. They'll later sprint over to the hot tub and chat about their future at Palmer Station.

I picture myself on that day on deck looking out to sea wondering if I'll ever see this magical place again.

Midwinter's Dinner

Pigroast!

I'm a bit late on the blogging, but I thought you should all know that we had a fabulous pig roast on Midwinter's day here at Palmer. We all got dressed up and set the galley up for some fine dining.

From 20090618-MidwintersDinner

From 20090618-MidwintersDinner

A few of our handy crew were able to rig up a fancy pig turner out of some belts and a carpenter's drill so we could chill indoors and watch the pig turn through the window.

From 20090618-MidwintersDinner

Succulent!

From 20090618-MidwintersDinner

The menu consisted of :
- Smoked Salmon Mousse
- Krill Bisque
- Asparagus Rouille
- Pommes Anna
- Roast suckling pig
- Fresh vegetable salads
- Quinoa with green peas, lemon, and mint
- Fresh baked country breads

From 20090618-MidwintersDinner

It was truly one of the finest meals I can remember. Kudos to the chef who once again was able to make me eat far more than was necessary or intended.

Happy Midwinter's Everyone!

What's going on

Hi everyone,

The Antarctic Sun had some interesting articles about the science that was at Palmer recently along with some more details on the whole Oprah deal. Check it out for some light reading :

Antarctic Sun - Palmer Station

First day of the rest of our lives

The day after the Gould left I was signed up for watch. Whenever we have a day off, one person has to man the radio and occasionally walk over to the generator room and check the meters.

During one of my trips I had to stop and stare for a while. What an absolute beautiful sunrise!





Perhaps it won't be so bad living here for a bit longer...

Album : http://photos.jeff.braucher.net/20090608Sunrise

Goodbye Gould

The ship that brought me here in April finally left last weekend. They returned to Palmer station after their last science cruise on Friday morning and after two rather lengthy evenings of festivities it was time for them all to take the big trip back north. Sunday morning those of us that were staying gathered on the pier to wave them all goodbye. A friendly seal decided to come out and join us also.

At Palmer it's customary to jump off the pier whenever the boat leaves us behind. Many people here had done it before, but it doesn't get old - or any easier! About ten of us jumped and quickly fled to the hot tub to warm our freezing bodies. Do I need to say it was cold?

It was sad to see many of them go. I was the last winter-over to come down here and the only one who came with the science groups. All of the people that I met on my first day were on this ship and were all almost finished with their Antarctic experience.

Me and the others still have a long way to go. It's interesting to meet so many people in such a short time and then as quickly as you met them seeing them all leave. In a way though it's good to be down to just those of us that will be here for a while. We can all finally settle in and get ready for a long quiet winter.

Goodbye LMG. Nice to know all of you!