Extraordinary
I'm not sure which I am enjoying more- the sights/weather at McMurdo station or the people stationed here. They make up quite an extraordinary pair. I feel like I am on an alien planet, being from California and now surrounded by ice and snow. I'm not just adapting to life on Antarctica, I'm adapting to cold weather in general. I think the last time I woke up to a snowfall was at winter camp when I was 12 and looking back on it now, it was hardly a snowfall. I actually use beanies here. Maybe I'll become more outdoorsy, who knows, ANYTHING seems possible now.
McMurdo Station, Antarctica
We are over looking the Ross Ice Shelf and the Transantarctic Mountains, which separate East and West Antarctica. Some of the visible mountain groups are adeptly named Black Island, White Island, Brown Peninsula and they're pretty easy to tell apart. Seeing the ice shelf between us and the mountains reminds me of flying above the clouds. When it's a little foggy in the distance, the ice almost seems to fluff up. Mountain visibility is also a great indicator of bad weather to come. This morning we had a snowfall with strong winds, and I could barely see a sliver of one of the mountains from my room.
Ross Ice Shelf 11:45pm
Yesterday, I walked out to Hut Point, an outlook spot about a mile from the station and I saw seals! Particularly, a baby seal! The winds at Hut Point were the strongest winds I have ever stood in. WOW! I had to stand with my back against the wind for minutes at a time just to keep my parka hood on. For those wondering about penguins, because I KNOW you're wondering, the answer is no. I have not seen penguins and after speaking with a few different sources it is very unlikely that I will see penguins. If they show up at McMurdo, it is usually later on when the ice starts to break up. Oh well, I guess Benjamin will have to represent for the others...
Benjamin from 'Jargie the Science Girl!' looking at the ice
Antarctica is beautiful and it houses people with so many interesting perspectives. In the two days I've been here, I've met people from all over the world. Tonight was McMurdo's big Thanksgiving dinner and at my table was Elaine Hood (Antarctic Support Contractor Communications), Mike Lucibella (Editor of The Antarctic Sun), a NatGeo Film crew, and Sarah Airriess (Graphic Novelist for The Worst Journey in the World)...and that was just at my table! I only wish I had more time to get to know everyone's work, but I also don't want to jinx the rest of my flights. Catch-22. I've also met Ahmed, my traveling buddy who is also South Pole bound. He's working on a project called the BICEP array, using microwaves to understand how the universe was shortly after the Big Bang.
Thanksgiving at McMurdo
Walking to Hut Point
I wasn't sure how I would handle the weather of Antarctica or the social aspect of traveling alone, but it's easier the more I talk to everyone and realize that we're all just here to learn, to explore, to create, and to share Antarctica with you!
Talk soon, friends.
Jocelyn
Comments
Add new comment