I received this note from First Mate Ola Andersson - letting us know that they have completed the ice channel all the way to McMurdo and are actually enjoying some down time at the station. Here is the ice pier that he is talking about - and as soon as I receive a copy from him of the Oden here I'll post that as well. This pier is just ice with layers of dirt mixed in, made over the past two months by hauling material onto the ice, compacting it and adding layers of water until it was actually several feet above the level of the fastice around it. Then they've hauled in the moorings and gangplanks to turn it into a pier. This is where the cargo ships and the fuel tanker will dock to unload.
ice pier at McMurdo
Sounds like the expedition has been successful on all accounts - the icebreaking, the science, and connecting the whole project with all of you! Thanks for following along with us.
Hey Allan
We finished the channel work on this Friday and went in to the ice peer on this Sunday, you can say that the worst work is done, now we just maintain the channel and wait for the vessels to arrive. We have had 1½ day to roam around in McMurdo (so far). I will send you a picture of Oden at the pier as soon as we have better connection. I will stay in NZ until 5th of February and I will stay there with Mattias, Maria and Jan. They have rented a car so we will visit both islands and departure from Auckland.
Regards Ola