Camping - Antarctic Style
Hello everyone! I've attached some pictures from my 2-day overnight "happy camper" class - aka Outdoor Survival School. The weather the first day was about -13F with fairly heavy winds which dropped the temp that much more. I can't say I had a great time, but I can now say that I spent a night in the Antarctic wild. Enjoy the pictures!
posted by Paul @ 10:31 PM
5 comments
5 Comments:
Can you say BRRRRRRRR!!!
It's 60 here this morning in MI and it's K's 47th B-Day! He is at the YMCA w/Emma taking her to swimming and ballet. We are going to quick finish up outdoor projects before it snows. Painting the front of the house and finish planting spring bulbs.
How did you make those cool snow bricks??
Love Ya!
J-K and E!!
Hello - Paul Here...the snow bricks are made out of super compacted snow on top on the sea ice. Oh, I guess I didn't mention that we were technically "camping" on top of the Ross Sea. Making the bricks isn't super hard, but gets tiring after about 50 or so. You cut them out with a regular wood saw that has fairly aggressive teeth. You just saw out a square vertically on four sides and then "pop" it up with a shovel. That's it! I should also mention the function of the snow bricks is to block super high winds from tearing-up your tents and to give you some protection to cook food and boil water.
Location...we were on the other side of Observation Point about 7 miles out of town. The pic in the blog is about 3 miles from our camp. I'm standing in front of the down hill portion of the Castle Rock loop. Monica and I and a few other friends are skiing that trail tomorrow.
Cheers!
Paul
Hey Paul and Monica: Greetings from Colorado. Thanks for putting this blog together. I'm really so curious about what exactly your mission is down there. You may know, I work at The GLOBE program (through UCAR) which is funded by NASA. The IPY (international polar year) is the big talk these days. It actually starts March of 2007 so I'm just wondering if you were sent down there as part of team to get the place ready for some IPY related field studies. IPY is a major internationl deal as you might expect.
The pix are awesome. In fact, I am in awe of you two. What a great adventure.
Love from the Longmont Lackeys
hey paul and big sis,
I can't believe that you guys are in antartica. You two are nutz. I went camping in the snow one time in boyscouts,....it sucked. and that was in jersey. all is really good here, super busy at the restaurant since we were named the best by other resaurant owners and chefs. really sweet for us. snowboard season is about to drop here on the east coast, finally. xc- skiing doesn't have enough adrenaline or gravity for me, you two should rip up that lava pit ebrus. yeah that would be a great first descent huh? That jacked up van looks like a great hell ride on the ice, do a donut for me, dude its antartica. I'll be going to colorado in march probably for 8 - 10 days for a trip of snowboarding and dabauchery. but until then working hard and setting up some e-coast ski trips. you two have a great thanksgiving, stay warm, and safe. bring home some glacial ice for me, like in supermans ice cave, remember? miss you guys
love,
mike "bud" djnh
Hi Guys !
Looks so interesting. I'm enjoying the pictures. Hi Monica and Hello Paul, I haven't met you, Monica can fill you in. That is something sleeping out at the pole. That is something when you go to your high school reunions that most people have not and will not experience. Wait til you put a growler (aka a poop you know fudge brownie)down in a crevase. That is also something, most people haven't done. Excuse me for being crued, but going to the bathroom at the pole. I would image part of the survival school - So how are they handling that? Are there heated portals?
I guess I should sign this.
Kim's sister
Shar
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