Hello Robin!

This school year we are celebrating the Poles along with PolarTREC and IPY.

Each month is themed and this month the topic is Polar Scientists and Polar Research projects.

My students identified 10 scientists and as you can tell many of them fell in love with your project and are very excited about your expedition!

We will be following along every step of the way.

Have fun- we look forward to your webinar.

Elizabeth

And yes I do have a question!

Thinking back to when you were in Antarctica last what differences do you anticipate, in terrain and research?

Robin Ellwood

Hello Elizabeth!
Sounds like you and your students are having fun learning about Polar Scientists! I am so glad several have decided to contact me - it is great to "chat" with them! I look forward to sharing all my experiences with everyone!
 Thinking back....
A few things come to mind. First, we are heading to "the ice" two weeks earlier than previous trips. I am VERY curious to see if that two weeks is sufficient to feel cooler temperatures than the regular arrival time. I am told that it is usually a bit colder; I guess I'll find out! One benefit to going earlier is that the moats around the lakes should stay frozen for our entire trip. This makes traveling to the dive sites MUCH easier! The last couple dive seasons, the moats started melting before our work was finished which made getting to and from the dive sites very difficult.
Also, we are scheduled to go to Lake Vanda which I am very excited about! The ice in this lake is said to be among the bluest and clearest. I am very excited to dive through the dive tube in such conditions. I suspect it will be breath-taking! 
Hope you are well! Keep in touch!
Cheers,
Robin 

Elizabeth Eubanks

Great to hear from you!
 I am excited to follow your journal!
 Sorry- one more question.... any chance of you diving in the Antarctic Ocean? Does anyone even do that?
 Thanks Robin,
Now I will leave you alone... I am sure you are swamped!
ee

Robin Ellwood

Hello Elizabeth!
It's always nice to hear from you! No problem with questions.... that's what this is all about!
I will most likely be able to dive in McMurdo Sound which is an inlet that the ocean enters; we usually have to do some sort of "check out" dive. So - the sound is basically the ocean, but it is not the "ice edge." Some, very lucky, folks get to dive at the ice edge. What I would give to be able to do that! Different creatures tend to frequent different areas. For instance, whales and leapord seals tend to be near the ice edge. Because I will not be near the ice edge, my chances of seeing those creatures are slim to none! I suppose with the leapord seals - that's OK with me - although I would like to see one! I will be more than happy for the chance to dive in the sound - it's AMAZING!
So, yes - people do dive in the "ocean", but I will be in the sound and primarily the Lakes in the Dry Valleys!
Please keep in touch!
Cheers,
Robin