Well, I am back in Antarctica, at
Casey Station for the 2011/12 Summer Season. After some time in Hobart completing some pre-departure training, we set off early Friday morning (the 28th October) on the airbus for Antarctica. While in Hobart, we saw the ship, 'Aurora Australis' off for it's voyage to
Davis Station.
We would again be flying via the United States base of
McMurdo Station, as the blue ice runway 'Wilkins', which is up on the ice plateau from Casey station, was not yet operational. As the ice runway is not yet up and running, it means that only aircraft with skis' are able to land on the snow 'skiway' near to Casey station. It's for this reason that the airbus flies to McMurdo, lands on the sea ice, and then when a weather window presents, we fly over to Casey on a ski equipped C130 Hercules.
We arrived at McMurdo and spent a few hours down on the sea ice runway, where it was about -17c. It was first intended that we would transfer straight onto the hercules for our flight over to Casey, but due to a few delays, and ultimately a poor weather forecast for Casey station, we remained at McMurdo overnight. We then had to get up to the station and sort out some beds for the night. While down on the runway we watched some of the other aircraft come and go...... incredible to think that such large aircraft, and all the buildings (which are on sleds), and machinery are sitting on sea ice.
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| Arriving on the sea ice at McMurdo |
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| C17 landing on sea ice |
We then had an early start for the scheduled flight over to Casey Station, it would take about 4.5 hours on the Hercules over to Casey. Shortly after leaving McMurdo, we passed over the
Dry Valleys, which was an amazing view, and great opportunity for photos, albeit through the small and limited windows on the hercules.
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| The Dry Valleys |
We arrived at Casey ski-way, to about -15c, and then made our way down to the station where it was a balmy -12c........ due to the lack of humidity, it does not feel that cold, especially when the wind is not blowing.
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| Arriving Casey station ski-way |
We sorted all the bags that had arrived with us on the Hercules, and tried to unpack and settle into our rooms. After a good sleep, the first full day was beautiful, very little wind and amazing blue skies. Not too much work on the first day (mostly due to it being Sunday), but over the next few days it will become quite busy, as there is another Hercules flight due in with a further 26 people on board to come to the station, and there are also 2 Canadian
Twin Otter aircraft to arrive. These aircraft will be conducting science work over the summer period.
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| View from Casey station over Newcombe bay sea ice |
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| Casey 'Red Shed' |
The Casey 'Red Shed' is the main living quarters on the station. Inside is accommodation rooms, kitchen and mess room, lounge areas, and medical facilities. Over the next couple of blogs I hope to post some video of some various areas of the station, so people can get a better understanding of the layout, and facilities on the station.
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| Main road through Casey station...... the only road through Casey station |
