Arriving
Everyone told me that the moment you step off the C-17 plane onto the ice at McMurdo is an indescribable feeling and a moment you will never forget, and I completely agree. I have been waiting to arrive here for months now and despite all the mental preparation, the feeling of cold air hitting your face and the brilliant white snow against a blue sky that goes on for what seems like eternity is something I will never forget nor be able to give justice to in words or even pictures!
We boarded a huge C-17 plane and took the 5 hour flight from Christchurch, NZ to McMurdo Station. There was a wide array of people on the plane--military personnel who will be working at the station or flying the C-17 and C-131 planes, as well as researchers from science teams, and staff who work down on the station.
The research team eats a breakfast at the airport before boarding the C-17. From left to right: Michelle, Joni, Andrew, Terry and Steve.
Michelle gets ready to step on the C-17 with her Big Red and ECW gear.
Terry, Steve, Andrew and Joni are ready for their flight to Antarctica!
Michelle sits comfortably in her Big Red on the plane.
Passengers are handed a bagged lunch on their way onto the plane.
Lots of goodies are packed into the lunch bag.
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A view out of the one window on the C-17 as it passes over an icy landscape in Antarctica.
Military personnel and scientists on their way to Antarctica.
Michelle visits the cock pit for a view out the window and to see how the C-17 operates.
When we landed we were shuttled onto the Terra Bus. It is an all-wheel drive bus that is made to survive in Arctic (and Antarctic) climates. As I was stepping on the bus the driver saw my nametag and asked me to stand aside. I wasn't sure what to expect, but he said he was required to take a picture of me boarding the Terra Bus. After my photo op, I stepped onto the bus and before me sat a sea of red. Everyone was in their Big Red jackets--it was a sight to see! After a short drive from the air field to McMurdo base, I stepped off the bus to see Andy Stillinger and Bob Mellville, the engineers I will be working with starting mid-December. They had asked the Terra bus driver to take a picture of me!
The C-17 lands on an icy runway and passengers depart in their big red coats.
Michelle in front of the C-17 after landing on the ice.
Ivan The Terra Bus boards passengers at the air field to take them back to McMurdo Station.
The Terra Bus driver takes a photo of Michelle boarding the bus.
The bus is packed with red jackets as happy souls await arrival at McMurdo.
Bob Melville and Andy Stillinger greet Michelle as she arrives at McMurdo Station.
Training Time!
After I landed in McMurdo I went directly to an orientation training, and have been going to trainings ever since! I just spent two days at Happy Camper School (hence the lag in journals), and will go to a Sea Ice training tomorrow. Although I haven't been able to journal, I have a lot of pictures, videos and stories to share once all the trainings settle down. Keep the questions coming!
Questions:
What's the longest journey you have ever taken?
What kind of trainings do you think I'm going to? What do you think I'm learning about to prepare me for this experience?
Math Connections
Look at the picture showing everyone sitting on the C-17 (subtitled Military personnel and scientists on their way to Antarctica). If there are 5 rows of seats facing forward and 2 rows along the side that are three times as long as the ones going across, estimate the number of people on the plane.
Hint: Not all the seats were full. Use the first row as an example.