Discovery hut @ McMurdo Sound

Hi all: Here we are in front of Vince's Cross at Hut point which marks the entrance McMurdo Sound. Vince was one of Shackelton's expedition members who drowned at this point during a big storm. This is Discovery Hut, it was used by Shackleton and Scott for food and equipment storage and as a port/ launch for their Antarctic expeditions such as: the Nimrod expedition. Unfortunately they couldn't sleep in here because it was built with an australian "jarha" wood that's used in the Aus. outback to keep desert homes cool, not so smart .... they ended up staying on their ship.
Paul with the hut and the sea ice behind him, this sea ice , in about 2 months will melt & crack and a sea passage will be cut for the supplies vessel to port with next years supplies and equipment.


We're still learning more about the history of the expeditions and the huts. I will be a tour guide to all the historic huts for residents and visiting dignitaries this summer season. So that will be fun and a great opportunity to see more of the continent.
More soon from Paul on his outdoor survival snow school AKA Happy Camper,
M
Happy Halloween!

backyard-base pix oct 25

Hi all:
Some more pictures of our world right now: base sign, our dorm (mammoth mountain inn) (monica in front) and some of the crazy vehicles and some of the equipment - like the huge golf ball- satelite communication link site here. We're plugging along here with work, got a little X country skiing in - had a great view of mt erebus -the southern most active volcano in the world! Tonight we're going to hear the science lecture about the melting and significant movement of the icebergs in the southern hempishere and antarctic region.
It's starting to warm up now - most days it's sunny and ONLY about 0 degrees (-32 some nights with the windchill)
More soon, M

Oct 21 new "ice "pictures

Above: view of the sea ice from the plane
Below: McMurdo Station view and Observation hill in the background.


Hi all: We're well and staying warm in Antarctica. Enjoy the pictures, Paul and Monica


Above left: view of Antarctica from plane
Left: Crossroads on the "ice hwy"

M update & pictures

Oct 18, 2006
Hi all:
Well, we've been on the ice a little more then a week and we've settled right in. I'm busy at work serving food, making coffee - lots of coffee - which I'm not opposed too - I heart coffee! & washing lots of dishes. It' s kind of been a nice break from my working the phone and campaigning days. I will say that the constant "tasking " every minute of my day will get old. The people are nice and the landscapes here are amazing - well worth it!

Here are some fun pictures from our journey down south , we flew 5 hours from christchurch new zealand to ross island - mcmurdo sound where our base (station) is ... the C17 US air force cargo plane was loud (we had 2 wear ear plugs)but boy it could carry a lot of gear, equipment and people.
Let me know if you can't see the pictures! New to the blogging stuff
best,
M

pix 1 above: the gate to get on our flight 2 west antarctica pix 2 Monica & all our gear @ 4am , pix 3 Paul and I geared up for our flightin the c17 cargo plane

pix 4: inside the c17 cargo plane looking forward to flight deck

pix 5 the aft of the cargo plane with all the Gear loaded on palletes etc.. behind that is food and equip.

Hello from Antarctica

Hello all,

Just trying to set-up this blog to keep everyone in the loop. Please let us know if you have any suggestions.

Thanks,

P&M