Journal Entry

My ice flight finally arrived!

LC130Gotta go ... my ride is here.

Boarding an LC-130 is very different from a commercial plane. The LC-130 is an Air Force modified C-130 Hercules, basically it is a military transport. The flight is not designed for comfort. Hearing protection is required and you are given a bag lunch for an eight hour flight (fun fact: eating potato chips with earplugs in is super loud and kind of disturbing.) You sit in a nylon mesh troop seat and are basically in a cargo area. Temperature is an issue. It is either too hot or too cold and you are wearing a parka pretty much the whole time. In short, it was super fun and I wouldn't change a thing about it.

Troop SeatTroop seat. I am looking to the left because there was something cool happening there.

The Airman and Air National Guard that manned the flight were helpful and professional. They obviously took our safety seriously but were also understanding when first-timers like myself nerded out about the flight.

Prop WarningThat red line indicates where the propellors are. Which is good to know.

It should be noted that although transportation to McMurdo Station is aboard an Air National Guard aircraft, that McMurdo is a wholly civilian station. McMurdo is a civilian scientific station run by the United States Antarctic Program (USAP). The military helps with transportation but that makes a lot of sense. These guys are very good at getting folks into extreme environments in remote locations. But they are just the ride down here ... after that it's all science and stewardship. You see, the continent of Antarctica is specially designated as a place of international cooperation. 53 separate nations have agreed that the Antarctic should be set aside for scientific exploration and environmental conservation. It really is a triumph of international collaboration. The only other endeavor that I can think of that is close would be the construction of the International Space Station. The spirit of cooperation shows when you get down here too. Everyone is super helpful and willing to assist you, or show you the ropes, or give you rides. McMurdo has about a thousand people here in the summer so it's a bit like a small town. A very weird small town. A very weird small town placed in one of the most starkly beautiful places on Earth. I keep taking pictures but none of them do justice.

Ice ArrivalOn the Ice!

Oh before I forget ... should I grow a beard down here or no beard? Vote in the comments below.

Comments

Alix

Glad to hear you finally made it! The photo looks amazing so I can only imagine what you are experiencing in person!
Beard goes well with hat hair!

Emily

Yes, by all means, for the benefit of science, you should go beard.

Aaron

Glad u r on the ice Thuma. Keep the pictures coming. So beautiful, reminds me of the great white north.
And beard defiantly! When in Rome bro.

Armando Caussade

You made it! Congratulations on your arrival in the ice!
I absolutely loved your description of the LC-130 and its flight. To answer your question, yes, a beard is a must in Antarctica. And also, as other readers have asked, keep those pictures from the ice coming.

January 6 brings me happy memories as this day also marked my arrival in McMurdo, back in 2015. It is like re-experiencing my own expedition through your journals.

Take care, Eric, and I wish you all the best!

Eric Thuma

Will do. I just wish i was a better photographer. I'll just take a lot of pictures and hope some come out good.

Eric Thuma

Ok but I tend to grow rather a weedy beard. Picture Shaggy from Scooby Doo.

James Burtka

Can't believe 53 nations actually agreed to share some territory. That really is an awesome feat for science.
I vote beard. If you do it you'd have to keep it for at least a couple days when coming back to class!

Kevin S

On the caption of the picture of you in the Troop seat, you said that there was something cool happening there on your left. What was it?

Eric Thuma

Agreed. I'll post about the Antarctic treaty soon. The beard seems to be winning out!

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