ICEBERG CRUISE

As mentioned in the previous post. On boxing day about a dozen of us headed out on IRB's in the afternoon, for a Iceberg cruise.

It was amazing that only about 2 hours previous we were standing around in just board shorts, and had been swimming in Newcombe bay, outside Casey station, and now we were putting on about 4 or 5 layers of clothes, balaclava's and beanies, to head out on the boats.

While out on the boats, we took the opportunity to stop at Shirley Island, and take a wander through the penguin colonies. Something we had not done for about 3 weeks, as the sea crossing had been closed, as it was unstable.

On arrival at Shirley Island, we found that the sea ice we had been crossing, had now completely disappeared, and it was now open water.

The penguins were no longer sitting on eggs, but in fact the chicks had hatched.

We spent about 3 hours cruising amongst the numerous icebergs that are currently sitting nearby to Casey station.

Many of these icebergs have broken from nearby glaciers, and become grounded in shallower water.

The picture below in fact shows an iceberg that has become grounded on rock, that becomes exposed at low tide.

The pictures above and below show a large iceberg, and part of the iceberg that is below the water. The water is so clear that you can clearly see the bottom when the water is many metres deep.

Christmas at Casey station, Antarctica

Santa arriving at Casey

As explained previously, christmas was going to be delayed due to the re-supply ship, the Aurora Australis being at Casey.

The re-supply went well with 760,000 litres of fuels being unloaded, as well as food, machinery, and anything else the station might require for the next 12 months before the ship returns.

The Aurora Australis departed late afternoon on Christmas day, and the rest of the day was spent unloading food, and groceries from several shipping containers, and then a game of cricket broke out after dinner. Although we would be celebrating christmas the following day, we did receive a very light fall of snow of the real christmas day.

For those at Casey, Christmas would be celebrated on the 26th of December, and boxing day the 27th.

Station Christmas photo

I awoke on Christmas day to a present left by my door, a present that my wife Maree, and kids Beth and Caitlyn had obviously posted to the station leader to be left out for me. It was nice to open it and find a few goodies, and drawings from the kids.

All then gathered for brunch at about 10am, and with the recent re-supply we got fresh fruit and real eggs among plenty of other things on the menu.

Early afternoon saw santa arrive in a sleigh drawn by a couple of quad bikes. Presents were then exchanged, and all settled in for christmas dinner.

Another treat for those who don't mind watching the cricket, was that the boxing day test had been streamed down to us over the internet.

As usual the two chef's on station cooked up storm, there was a selection of multiple different roasts, and a huge seafood buffet.

Life size penguins, sculptured out of butter were also put out on the tables.

One hot topic discussed over the dinner table was the boxing day swim that was to take place the following morning.

Chef 'Steve' at the carvery

Boxing day saw all keen, (probably mad) expeditioners head down to the wharf to prepare for the swim.

The air temperature was about -2c, and the water temperature about -1c.

To run down the boat ramp, dive under the water and resurface, just to look back and hope it doesn't take too long to get out. Shortly after getting out of the water, it becomes quite comfortable just standing there in a pair of board shorts.

But we all lined up again, and went in for a second dip. It seamed so much colder the second time round.

After the swim about a dozen of us went out in 3 IRB's for an iceberg cruise. It was amazing that we were just standing there in shorts, and swimming in the water about an hour previous, and now putting on 4 layers of clothes, including a Mustang survival suit for our trip out on the boats.

But the iceberg cruise, and trip back to Shirley Island will be in the next post.

Shirley Island

Shirley Island is about a half hour hike from Casey station, and to get there we have been able to cross the sea ice. Shirley Island is quite a popular destination, due to it being quite close, people will often hike over there after dinner for a few hours, it is also popular because there are many nesting groups of Adelie penguins on the island.

On the sea ice crossing to Shirley Island

A small group of use hiked over last week, to take advantage of the sea ice still being in place. With the warming weather this is one of the few remaining areas of stable/thick sea ice near to the station. And in fact in the few days following or trip the sea ice has been closed, as it is thinning, and becoming unsafe for travel.

We will probably get to travel out to Shirley Island in a few weeks, when we have the boats operating.

Skua trying to get Penguin eggs

The pictures above and below show Skua's. These birds are quite large, about twice as big as a crow. They tend to travel in pairs and pinch eggs from the penguins.

The pair below in fact kept at this penguin until they were able to get one of the eggs, which they quickly broke and then ate. No sooner had they finished, and they were back at another penguin trying to get further eggs.

As usual the penguins seem fearless, at least towards humans, it's a bit of a different story to watch some being chased out of the water by a seal.

No sooner do you get within about ten metres of the penguins, and they head straight towards you, stand about 2 or 3 feet away for while, and then just carry on with what they were doing.

All of the penguins are currently sitting on eggs, and by the time we get back out to the island, the chicks will have hatched.

We will still see plenty of penguins around the station, as they often come out of the water down the boat ramp/wharf, and then make there way up the road, past the buildings and out towards Shirley Island.

Trip to Jacks

TRIP TO JACKS DONGA

Last weekend myself and 3 others set off for an overnight trip to Jacks Donga. It's about a 1 hour trip in a hagg, we had to travel for a short time along the road (it's called a road, but it's essentially a track in the snow) leading from Casey station out towards Wilkins aerodrome, and then turned off and essentially travelled cross country to Jacks. With most of this travel being across exposed/solid ice that has had all the snow blown from the surface.

Jacks Donga

Jack was an expeditioner at Wilkes station in the early 1960's, who needed a break , and wanted to escape the station. He took a cab from an old piece of machinery, towed it out to this location, and set it up on a rocky ridge line looking out over the sea.

The original machinery cab still sits there, although it is now used as the outhouse for the newer Donga. Although it would have to be a toilet with one of the best views around.

The current Jacks Donga is essentially a shipping container, set up with food supplies, 2 x bunk beds, stove and table. The donga is used as a site for expeditioners to travel too and stay for a few days, but more importantly is always maintained and stocked as an emergency refuge, should anyone be travelling in the area and require it in an emergency.

Inside Jacks Donga

Jacks is approximately 7 kilometres from the old Wilkes station, and Jack would stay out here, and then walk across the sea ice back to the station to complete his job, before walking back to the hut.

The 'original' Jacks hut.

Above is a picture of the original Jacks hut (which is about 20 metres from the current Jacks donga). It's amazing that this man stayed in this small, mostly metal machinery cab, that also lacked any form of insulation.

Why would you take a picture standing outside a toilet?

Well, when that toilet is in Antarctica, standing in this location, and has a view like the picture below, it's worth taking a photo of.

View from the toilet.

Hagg, with Ice cliffs in the background

Field Travel Training

Earlier this week myself and four others set off for some more field training. We headed out on quad bikes Monday morning, and returned early Tuesday evening.

After leaving the station we headed for the sea ice on O'Brien Bay. Here we would complete some tasks associated with our training.

Testing Sea Ice Depth on O'Brien Bay

We had to check the sea ice depth before we could ride the quads on the bay, as the ice condition can change very quickly, and if the wind is blowing in the right direction, the ice will go out to sea over a very short period. In fact most of the ice that we were travelling on, had gone by the end of the week, due to wind conditions, or broken up and become unsafe to travel on.

Ice Cliffs on O'Brien Bay

Some of the other training that we were required to complete, involved more navigation techniques and exercises.

We were also required to complete training on ice slopes. This involved cutting steps into the slope so we could get up. And also then sliding down the slope, to learn and practice self arrest techniques in case you fall.

Preparing to work on the Ice Slopes

We also completed training in quad recovery.

We set up camp for the night on the Mitchell Peninsula. This time we would be sleeping in 'Polar Pyramid' tents.

View from the tent

After arranging and eating dinner, we set off on a short hike to climb one of the nearby hills and take in the views over the Mitchell Peninsula and surrounding areas.

View back towards our camp site

View from our camp site

On Tuesday we headed over to Robinson Ridge. We stopped for lunch at Robbo's, essentially a shipping container sized hut, that can be used for various reasons, whether it be science, groups getting away for a weekend from station, or as an emergency refuge in bad weather.

Robbo's Hut

Huge Iceberg on the Horizon

View over Robbo's Hut to Penney Bay