Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 12/09/2008 - 05:37
Forums
Oden Antarctic Expedition 08

Hello Jeff & Team,

Mr. Calderwood's second block class would like to know if you have had any time to practice using the scientific equipment the team will be using on the trip.  Is the equipment something you have to learn how to use or is the equipment easy enough to use without pracrtice?  Also, how long will it be before you start collecting data? We would also like to know what possessed you to wear a tee shirt and shorts in such "brisk" conditions.

Enjoying your journals!!!

Calderwood's Block 2 class 

Tue, 12/09/2008 - 10:56

Jeff Peneston

Mr. Calderwood’s class,
First, I am sitting on the bridge of the Oden, and from here I can see over a dozen icebergs right now.  The tabular one about 8 miles to the starboard is at least a square mile in size with vertical cliffs on all sides that are over 100 feet high!  Others look like brilliant white sailing ships with their pointed white peaks against the blue sky.  After all of our Expedition Earth Science adventures together, I can’t tell you how much I wish Mr. Calderwood was here with me right now.  And, I can imagine just how much he wants to be here too.
Before we entered the Drake Passage all of the science teams were busy testing out their equipment and making plans, but for the last 4 days we have all been on hold and at times we have been forbidden to even go on the decks where the lab vans are.  Anyway. I had a chance to check out my equipment which includes the underwater video system and it looks ok.  I have discussed the operation of the ice core with Dr. Yager and her graduate student Kevin.  I am confident that as Kevin’s assistant on the ice, I will learn to use the gas powered ice drill and the larger auger with no problem.  As far as the lab equipment, it is mostly high tech chemical analysis stuff and Mr. Calderwood knows that I don’t have a clue about how to use it.  Each piece of equipment in the lab has someone assigned to it that is experienced and I will be reporting about their work.  We hope to be into the ice on Wed and the seal teams and water chemistry teams will get right to work.  Our ice team may have to wait an extra day until we can find ice that is thick enough to walk on.
I wore a swimsuit and t-shirt because I had just done laundry for the week and I did not want to soak my clean jeans and sweatshirt.  It was the coldest water I have ever been in.  But, sometimes you can’t wait for memorable things to happen, you have to go out and make memories!
Take care,
Jeff  Peneston