have an ICE day

Saturday, October 14, 2006

To Cape Evans

On the 1st of October, I was able to go with a recreation trip to Scott's Hut at Cape Evans. Earlier in the season, I signed up to be a Hut Guide for the National Science Foundation, so I was one of the lucky ones asked to go along as a Hut Guide Trainee. As Hut Guides, we are responsible for checking out the key from the National Science Foundation. We have to tell every visitor the rules. They are not to touch anything inside, and they must clean their shoes of snow before walking in. Only 12 people at a time are allowed inside the hut, including the stable area which is along the side of the hut. It's quite a bit of work actually keeping everyone in line and making sure everyone gets their turn inside, but it was totally worth it just to get to go along!

We took the trip in two Deltas, the big red vehicles in the first photo. There were three people riding up in front, and sixteen people in the back of each vehicle. The Deltas are stocked with survival gear in case a storm causes them to be stranded. I was assigned to ride in the first Delta, and as I we left town I realized that I was the only non-winter-over (they had priority for the trip) in the back. We were talking about having to eat the survival food if we were stuck, and someone said, "Katie, I hate to tell you this, but since you're the only non-winter-over in the vehicle... we're going to have to eat you first if we run out of food." We all cracked up, and I reminded them that I had a turnover wrapped up in my bag of gear if they wanted dessert after they polished me off.

The Deltas

We made a few stops as we drove out to Cape Evans, which was only about 10 miles away. However, riding in the Deltas was bumpy (since you're driving on sea ice and it's not groomed) and not extremely comfortable, and the drive one-way took an hour and a half at least. So our drivers let us out to run around and take some photos.

This is my roommate Helen and I. Helen also got to go along as a Hut Guide Trainee.

Pressure ridges from where the Erebus Ice Tongue meets the sea ice. The ice tongue is about 8 miles long and protrudes off of Mt. Erebus into McMurdo Sound (which is still frozen right now).

I believe this is Tent Island. I took this photo when we stopped to see the penguins.

My foot next to a tidal crack, to give you perspective. You have to watch for these as you are walking back onto Ross Island at Cape Evans. Sometimes they can be wide and hidden by snow, and you may not see them until you're knee-deep in one.