have an ICE day 

Intro

I am on my way back to McMurdo Station, Antarctica for my third season on the Ice. I'm working in the Crary Lab again this season as the Administrative Coordinator.

Toilet Tally

521 toilets scrubbed as of February 18, 2007

Weather at McMurdo

Contact Me

Email: katieantarctica@gmail.com

My Mailing Address

Relevant Reads

• Big Dead Place
• Terra Incognita
• Ice Bound

Antarctica Movies

• March of the Penguins
• Eight Below
• Madagascar
• Happy Feet
• The Thing
• Alien vs. Predator

Other Ice Websites

• Antarctic Slang
• Ana Bell
• Erin's Life on The Ice
• Sweet As
• South Pole Dudes
• Phil Jacobsen
• Sandwich Girl
• winter camp

Visitors

My Photos

Monday, December 18, 2006

Pressure Ridge Tour at Scott Base

I know I posted information about pressure ridges before, but I can't seem to find the entry. So I'll link you to Ana Bell's entry about pressure ridges and how they form. She says this is the first time in 7 years the kiwis have let the Americans walk around them. Rumor has it that some American idiot stood on some pressure ridges and poked a seal, and so that was the last time before the day these pictures were taken that they let us crazies out there.

This first day, the recreation department had a drawing and 100 people would get spots to go out and walk around the pressure ridges with a guide. I didn't make the list, nor did I make the alternates list. But I ran into someone that afternoon who just showed up that morning to see if she could get an empty spot if one was available. There was a spot left after the winners and the alternates got on (someone was probably passed out still). She said that another guy told her "Life happens to those who show up." which is incredibly relevant to living here in McMurdo. So I ran home and threw on my ECW gear and headed back to see if I could get on one of the last two trips going out that afternoon. And whaddya know? I made it on! Enjoy the pics... of course, they don't do the day justice, but you'll get the idea.







Walking up and over one of the ridges


Scott Base in the background








One of my favorites, the whale tail:


Don't worry - I didn't disrupt this seal!




Ob Hill in the background





Photos from Erin's camera after mine ran out of batteries:

Me blocking the black flag warning people not to walk near this pressure ridge. If you can see those weird green things around my hiking boots, those are called YakTrax and we slip them over our shoes for traction. This was actually the first time I'd ever worn a pair, as my shoes (the ones I've been wearing constantly since I was in Denver) have good traction.


Check out this model pose.


Erin, Ana Bell, me and Helen at the Ridges


Erin and me: Do you remember when we did that? She told me she was glad I got on the trip because then one day we could say to each other, "Do you remember when we did that?" Which has become a great way to tease her... but it's true, I think that kind of stuff all the time too!