Off to the end of the world. Part 2.

Off to the end of the world part 2

By now, I have escaped Christchurch, New Zealand and arrived at McMurdo Station, Antarctica. The journey over here consisted of 9 days of flight delays at Christchurch, receiving United States Antarctic Program (USAP) issued gear, an awesome flight on a C-17 (!), landing on a runway located on sea ice, and embracing the 24/7 austral summer sunlight.

Massive C-17 ready to receive us in Christchurch.

On board C-17 during flight (notice lack of windows).

View of Antarctica from port hole.

Landed on sea ice!

McMurdo arrival...

I’ve been at McMurdo for a little over a week now. The station is the largest base on the continent with currently around 1,000 inhabitants and is ran by USAP and the National Science Foundation (NSF). As soon as one arrives to McMurdo, one must suffer 1000 (yet necessary) training sessions. On top of that we had to conduct numerous preparations such as checking field equipment and packing cargo that will be shipped out to the Shackleton Glacier base camp. We also did some great crevasse rescue training and happy camper prep.

View of McMurdo from Ob Hill.

Crevasse rescue training just outside of McMurdo.

Us looking down at Rudy hanging out in man made crevasse.

Me uncomfortably hanging out in the crevasse.

Our down time consists of catching up on emails, watching movies, calling friends and family of satellite phones, and just hanging out. We’ve also done some really great hikes around the area to soak in the surrounding environment. I will definitely say that the landscape here is as beautiful as it is dangerous.

Just hanging out in McMurdo...

Mt. Erebus with smoke plume.

Hopefully by the end of this week I’ll make it over to the Shackleton area and conduct field work for the next 5 weeks. Next update won't be for a while, but looking forward to it!