Flying in an LC-130
Late last night we learned that they were going to try and fly us today. Someone must have pulled some strings to get an extra flight scheduled. We left the hotel at 5:45 this morning and repeated the routine from yesterday donning our ECW gear weighing our bags and ourselves and checking in our bags. We waited for about an hour and 20 minutes and then we were given the all clear to fly today. We had to go through a second phase of airport screening with metal detectors and x-rays for our carry-on bags.
Josh Heward waiting in line for a security screening before boarding a flight to Antarctica.
After security screening we loaded onto a bus that transported us over to the LC-130. The Load Master gave us some instructions while we were still on the bus and once our luggage was secured in the back of the plane we all got on the plane. The plane had web seats on the sidewalls and a few in the middle. Once aboard the plane we were issued earplugs and then we were on our way. The propellers, side-facing web seats and exposed pipes and wires made the plane look very different form a comercial flight but take off and landing felt the same as nearly every other flight I have been on.
Everyone is settled in on an LC-130 during our eight hour flight to Antarctica.
There were only a few small windows so there wasn't much of a chance to look outside but I did manage to catch a glimpse of some sea ice and mountains as we approached Antarctica. It was a noisy eight hour flight and I was grateful for the earplugs.
Willy Field to McMurdo
We landed at Willy Field and I was awestruck as I exited the plane and set foot on the Ross Ice Shelf for the first time. The ice is up to 700 meters thick and covers an area about the same size as Utah and Colorado combined. It is stunning.
Josh Heward standing at Willy Field in front of an LC-130 on the Ross Ice Shelf, Antarctica.
This is place that few people get to visit and I am excited to be here and learn about how science is conducted at the bottom of the world. We loaded onto Ivan the Terra Bus and drove to McMurdo Station. As we approached the edge of the ice shelf, I could see Weddell Seals laying on the ice near the pressure ridges.
Ivan the Terra Bus transports passengers from the air field to the base at McMurdo
Rock-n-Roll at -2 C
At the station we had a brief orientation, and a quick stop in at the galley for some food and then we went to IceStock 2016. IceStock is the southernmost outdoor rock concert. It is a tradition on New Years Eve at McMurdo Station.
Josh Heward at IceStock 2016
You probably aren't going to see any of the IceStock bands on World Tours in the near future but it was a lot of fun watching them perform and dancing/mingling with the crowd. Many people at McMurdo have been here since October working long hours and events like IceStock are important for maintaining morale and allowing everyone an opportunity to let their hair down and enjoy the holiday.
Happy New Year Everyone!