Final check of Antarctic gear before packing away. A brief summary of my trip preparation is found further down in this journal entry.
I am in Christchurch, New Zealand right now. To get here, I took a flight from Salt Lake City to San Francisco. San Francisco to Auckland, New Zealand (12 hour flight). We then flew from Auckland to Christchurch, New Zealand. This trip started on Sunday, December 30th, and I arrived in Christchurch Tuesday, January 1st.
Dr. Adams and me preparing to leave Salt Lake City.
I really don't remember much of New Year's Eve. That is because there was no New Year's Eve for me this year. We took off from San Francisco on the 30th, and landed in New Zealand on New Year's Day. What??? No, we were not in the air for a day and a half. We crossed the international date line. While crossing that vertical line on the Earth, we are to move our calendar ahead one day. I will get that day back when I come home, crossing that line from the other direction.
Natasha Griffin (returning scientist on her 2nd trip to the ice), Dr. Adams, and myself enjoying some chowder and sourdough in San Francisco before take-off for New Zealand.
Click here to view a short animation showing the route here to New Zealand, and soon, to Antarctica.
This was our ride to New Zealand.
Onboard an Air New Zealand aircraft over the Pacific headed to New Zealand. We skipped New Year's Eve due to crossing the International date line. Notice the empty seats. It was nice to stretch out for the 12-hour flight.
Beautiful wood carvings welcoming us to Auckland, New Zealand.
Meeting up with more members of our Dry Valley soil team in Auckland.
Myself, Natasha, and Byron (Dr. Adams), excited to be onboard the last flight of our journey. Christchurch, New Zealand is at the end of this flight.
Full flight to Christchurch. I was grateful for the green olives my daughter give me for my trip. It has been a long journey, and not there yet.
We left on Sunday and arrived here in Christchurch on Tuesday. A lot of seat-time on planes. Glad I like flying.
We were met in Christchurch by personnel from the United States Antarctic Program (USAP). This very nice lady gave us instructions on where to meet our shuttle to our hotel, how to exchange money, and what time to meet at their facility (tomorrow) for further training.
Here's my room I will spend 2 nights in if the weather is good. If we can't make our flight into Antarctica, we could be here longer.
Brief Summary of Preparation
Preparation time is over. I have spent years learning so many fascinating things about Antarctica. I have been to several conferences and trainings preparing me for my expedition (refer to previous posts on those conferences). I have spent time in the gym and changing my diet in order to be stronger and to add a bit more cold resistive "insulation". I set, and reached a goal to increase from 165 pounds to 180 pounds. That was a fun goal to achieve.
It took me a year, but I met my goal of gaining 15 pounds.
I have spent time in Dr. Adam’s lab having him teach me some techniques we will use in the lab in Antarctica (story in previous journal). I have passed my physical qualification tests (another journal entry about that). Vaccines and extra insurance were also required.
I am having a video conference here with our Antarctic team making final preparations.
Many video conferences were held with our Antarctic Dry Valley team members, PolarTREC advisors, and from the United States Antarctic Program, helping me learn requirements to help prepare me for my upcoming expedition. I have found the best substitute teacher who kindly offered to teach my students while I will be away. She and I have met several times, and she has met my students prior to this switch.
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