Getting Outside
Sunday is a great day to get outside for a little fun around town. During 'main body', there are many people who enjoy being outside and take advantage of being in a very different environment. There are many options: running, hiking, and skiing come to mind immediately. The weather is a bit warmer during 'main body' (usually) and it is bright almost all 24 hours of the day. During WinFly, you don't see quite as many people out and about, but there are still a few of us. Think about if you wanted to go outside and play. You'd just head outside right? Maybe you'd tell an adult that you were going outside. Well, down here in Antarctica, that's just not the way it works.
This is Observation Hill from the ground. We're hiking up to the cross at the top.
Buddy System
First, most of the outside activities require a buddy. Where even simple activities can become very dangerous, it's always a good idea to have a friend with you who can assist or call for help if things take a turn for the worst. For, my hiking adventure, my buddy is Dr. Stacy Kim.
My hiking buddy, Dr. Stacy Kim. We got some good photos!
Paperwork
Yes, to go outside for a hike, there is a form to fill out. It's called the eFootPlan and you can submit it right from the computer. Using this clever program, you record:
- Where you are going
- Who you are going with
- What time you will leave
- What time you expect to be back
- Who is your POC (point of contact)
This is the eFootPlan we fill out on the computer before leaving for our hike.
Today, Stacy and I hiked up Observation Hill, called Ob Hill for short. It's right next to town and is a bit more challenging than you might think a "hill" might be.
Radio
To be extra safe, it's a great idea to carry a handheld radio. The radio can be used to call for help if something were to happen. I had some radio training that I'll talk about later this week, but properly using a radio is not as easy as you might think. It's also definitely not like what you see on TV and in the movies.
Breaker! Breaker! Mike does a radio check before suiting up. (Photo courtesy of Annamarie Pasqualone)
Preparing
Since we'll be hiking in Antarctica, there are a few things we need to do to prepare. We all remember that Antarctica is the driest, coldest, and windiest place on Earth, so it's important to eat something, drink plenty of water, and layer up our ECW.
You need to fuel your body before a hike. My favorite is a granola bar and water. (Photo courtesy of Annamarie Pasqualone)
We grab our radio and our stabilizers (metal spiked cleats that go over our boots). And we're off!
What could be worth all this?
I know it seems like a lot of steps, just to go outside and play, but believe me when I say that it is worth it. Here are some photos from our hike.
Looking down over McMurdo Station on our way up Ob Hill.
Here's part of the trail we hiked. Not as easy as you might think.
Mike standing on Ob Hill. What a great hike! (Photo couretsy of Dr. Stacy Kim.)
Here's the view from a little farther up Ob Hill.
The cross was placed at the top as a memorial to Antarctic explorers who perished.
You can just make out some of the inscription. The cross lists the names of the explorers from Scott's attempt at the South Pole.
This plaque explains a little about the cross. I am reading a book about the expedition called 'The Worst Journey in the World'.
We saw some wind turbines just outside of McMurdo Station. I'll have to learn some more about these.
The number one thing you must remember, however, is that when you get back to McMurdo, you MUST CHECK IN! If you don't tell Mac Ops or the Firehouse, that you made it back to town safely, the Search and Rescue team is immediately paged to prepare for a possible emergency.
All in all, a hike in Antarctica is unlike anything I've done anywhere else. It has beautiful scenery. You spend time with interesting and entertaining people. You have such a sense of accomplishment. What a day!
Here's a few photos stiched together to give you a sense of the view.
Click here to zoom in!
