Today was the first day when I truly felt like I was in Antarctica.
We spent the whole morning in an orientation session called Field Support and Training. This was a four hour course, condensed down from a two day "Happy Camper" outdoor field course that every participant of the United States Antarctic Program was previously required to do.
In Happy Camper, you were taken out into a remote location, and taught how to survive, by actually practicing the skills needed. For example you had to build an igloo or a snow shelter, and sleep in it overnight. You had to put a bucket on your head to learn how to navigate in a "white out" situation of zero visibility during a snow storm. You had to learn how to respond to hypothermia or frostbite.
We did not do any of these things.
In Field Support and Training, we talked about some of them, comfortably seated indoors, in a heated building!
So I guess we weren't technically Happy Campers – more like mildly-contented-people-discussing-how-to-camp-safely. Somehow it doesn't have the same ring to it.
Nonetheless, learning about these topics reminded me of where I am. It might seem like college here at McMurdo, but I can't get complacent. The weather could change in a second, and I have to be aware and prepared.
We learned to light a camping stove – mostly useful in case we get stuck in a survival situation, and have to melt snow for water.
We learned the correct way to pitch a tent, and anchor it in the snow so it won't blow away.
We learned the correct knots to use when staking our tents in the snow.
We looked at wooden replicas of ice blocks, something we'd need to know how to cut, if we were to build a snow wall, igloo, or another type of protective shelter out of snow.
In the afternoon, we had Snowmobile training.
This is exactly what it sounds like.
Yes, we did stand in a room for an hour and learn about Snowmobile engine parts with Tony.
Tony shows us how to check that the important parts of a snowmachine engine are in tact before driving.
But then...
Colleen took us to a snowmobile course, and we got to play for 3 hours.
Safety first! Always wear a helmet and glasses to protect your head and eyes.
Ready to go!
Goldie jumps on to take a spin.
After a couple of hours of cruising around, the team stops for some photos. From left to right, Tiffany, Yamini, and Rachel.
Now I KNOW I'm in Antarctica!!
McMurdo = Coolest. College. Ever.