Weather Set Back
We had great weather for our first week in Antarctica. We should have known it would not all come so easy. Even though McMurdo is experiencing high temps and melting snow and ice, the story is different in the Dry Valleys. This time last year streams were flowing and soils thawed and accessible. This year we seem to be lacking the consistent sun to put things into motion. Clouds and wind are the predominant pattern of late. Brief periods of intense sun have not been able to break the last holds of winter.
So we wait. If we can get ten solid hours of sunshine we will set out. Until then we have camp chores, books, an intermittent glimpse at the internet, a few board games and each other.
Other projects around camp seem to be unaffected by the weather. Air particulate monitoring goes on, the German team of ice drillers worked through the night and continue to work into the day today. The only other team that seems to also be waiting for a change in the weather is the one looking at glacial streams. No water, no work.
As much as any group in camp the German team has consistently impressed me with their determination, professionalism, and competency. This was the same group that built an igloo in Happy Camper. They are conducting a highly technical drilling operation on the Canada glacier. It uses heat to bore through the ice but unlike other drills they have the ability to maneuver the drill tip in any direction while still penetrating the ice. They call it an ice mole. This ability allows them to collect larger samples from specific areas in the ice rather than having to drill many holes to get samples from the one layer you are interested in. It also has the benefit of being a very clean drill which allows them to collect samples without contaminating the area with solvents or petrochemicals. I have been promised a visit to their site and some photos but not until next week.