A trip to the CDC
This morning we went to the Clothing Distribution Center (CDC) to get our Extreme Cold Weather Gear (ECW). The ECW starts out in two large bags which have to be emptied and everything needs to be tried on to ensure a proper fit and to test all of the zippers, velcro and pockets.
Josh Heward opening up the extreme cold weather (ECW) gear at the Clothing Distribution Center.
Scott George and Andy Thompson try out their ECW gear at the Clothing Distribution Center
Byron Adams stands next to a rack of Big Red Parkas at the United States Antarctic Program Clothing Distribution Center.
Each person traveling to Antarctica is allowed to check 85lbs of checked luggage including the ECW gear. You may also take a small carry-on bag. The luggage you check will be loaded onto a pallet and not unloaded until you reach McMurdo Station. You may designate one bag as a "boomerang" bag. If your flight to McMurdo is unable to land it will return to Christchurch and the only bag you will get back from your checked luggage is your boomerang bag. The boomerang bag needs to have the supplies you would need to stay in New Zealand for an extra day or two.
At the CDC we also watched a few training videos. For me the biggest take-home message from today's training was the importance of protecting the environment while in Antarctica. A lot of emphasis was placed on conserving resources, minimizing waste, recycling and not disturbing wildlife. Much of what we can and can't do while in Antarctica is regulated by International Treaties as well as policies and procedures put in place by the National Science Foundation which manages the U.S. Antarctic Program.
After a morning spent trying on equipment and training we had the afternoon off to explore Christchurch before our departure tomorrow. We walked around the botanical gardens and visited the Canterbury museum. The museum has a great Antarctic exploration exhibit with many items from the heroic age of exploration. My favorite was this snowmobile.
An early snowmobile on display at the Canterbury Museum in Christchurch, New Zealand.
The evidence of the 2011 earthquake is still everywhere in Christchurch. There is scaffolding on many buildings that are being repaired and vacant lots stand as place markers for demolished buildings.