11 November 2014 Ice Flight

To the ‘Ice’

Hurray, we got the call! And I even see my name on the departure list. It may be a bit difficult for you to read but my name is on there, I promise. So, it shouldn’t be long now, that is if the weather cooperates.

It must be official, my name is on the departure list. Photo credit: Alex Eilers.

Wish me luck!

Packing gear

The alarm clock went off at 5:00 a.m. this morning. I jumped out of bed, excited to get the day started and gathered my gear. This year I packed smarter, much less gear than last time.

Take a look at what I packed last year and this year.

Luggage from my 2012 expedition. Three large duffel bags and my computer bag. Photo credit: Alex Eilers. Luggage from my 2014 expedition. Only two large duffel bags this time. Photo credit: Alex Eilers.

Weighing in

We headed to the CDC where we will catch out flight. ‘Weighing in’ is a unique experience, unlike any airport check-in process I’ve experienced! Everything must be weighed… and I mean everything!

Take a look, my luggage isn’t the only thing on the scale… I had to jump on as well. The first picture below show all of my checked bags being weighed. The second shows ME getting weighed along with everything I’ll be taking on the plane.

Alex loading her checked bags. Photo courtesy of Alex Eilers. Hopping on the scale to be weighed with my carry-on luggage. Photo courtesy of Alex Eilers.

Boarding the C-17

We took a short bus ride to the airplane. This very large C-17 should get us to Antarctica in about 5 hours.

Our ride to the ice will be on a C-17. Photo credit: Alex Eilers

And like everything else I’ve experienced so far, this flight is proving unique. Here’s a few photos of the inside of the plane.

Check out my view from inside the C-17. Photo credit: Alex Eilers What an amazing view from inside the C-17 cockpit. Photo credit: Alex Eilers

Yes, I actually got to go in the cockpit. That’s not likely to happen on a commercial airline, especially while in flight.

Enough talk, I thought it might be more fun to experience it through a video. Take a look!