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Antarctic Weather Stations

Aloha Kirk!

I am watching your mission very closely as I am a product of the University of Wisconsin at Madison :) Wondering if your scientists will be arriving before or after the Badger appearance in the Outback Bowl? Go Big Red and Go Antarctic Weather Stations Mission to Antarctica!

The midwest has had one heck of a horrible storm these last few days. Due for another one soon. What happens if your scientists flight is postponed? What are the contingency plans?

Then a cultural question. Did the indigenous peoples of New Zealand hunt whales? What place do whales have in the mo'olelo (stories) of New Zealand?

warmly, Maggie Prevenas (et all)

Wed, 12/26/2007 - 09:38

Kirk Beckendorf

 Hi Maggie!!!That is no longer a "what if"  question. When I got back from my hike I had an email that their flight down here has been canceled (I'm not sure why- but I bet that midwest storm could be the culprit). So I will need to just get to the CDC to get all of my cold weather gear myself. They are currently scheduled to get in in time for out flight to the Ice. If they don't make it in time for that, I do not know what the back up plan will be.
Whales, I asked someone that question myself the other day. I'll try and do a bit more checking, but from what I was told whale hunting is not and was not a large part of their culture. They do now "salvage" whales that have been beached. They will use the whale bone for carvings. I am not sure about other whale parts. NZ did not have any mammals before humans arrived, basically it was populated by birds, which the Maoris hunted.
I went through a museum the other day and there was little, if any mention of whales. I may go back today. If I do I'll pay more attention specifically about your questions.
Thanks for tuning in!!!
Kirk 

Wed, 12/26/2007 - 16:15

Kirk Beckendorf

Hey Maggie,I just got back from the museum and specifically went through the Maori part of the exhibit looking for anything about whales. Almost the only thing that was menitoned were a few weapons made out of whale bone. The Maori largely hunted Moas (birds related to ostriches and emus) until the birds became extinct about 500 years ago. Then they hunted other birds and fished.
Kirk