Cape Evans and Iceburg exploration

About an hours drive away from base is Cape Evans.  We drove out there in a couple Deltas and were able to explore one of Scott's huts and an iceburg that is frozen in the annual sea ice.

On the drive out to Cape Evans

Memorial for those who died in Scott's exploration party

Scott's Hut 

 Playing around on the Delta

The iceburg

 Hiking around the iceburg

 More exploration

 Heading back

More pictures

Here's some more pictures of what I've been up to lately:

 My friend Julie and I decided to trek over the hill to Scott Base, the New Zealand base station.  It was a very cold walk against freezing blasting winds...

 A few vehicles at Scott Base.

 Pressure ridges by Scott Base - where the seasonal ice shelf meets the permanent ice shelf.

 Another amazing sunset over the Royal Societies.

  

 The first Baslers arrived on station a few weeks ago.  I was able to go out to the Ice Runway to see them come in.

 One of the few hikes around station.  This one is pretty awesome because there are several frozen ponds along the way and the view over the sea ice is amazing.

 Sliding on one of the frozen pond.

 Roll cage Mary overlooking the station and Ob Hill on the trail.

 Another frozen pond.

 View across the sea ice to the continent on the other side of McMurdo Sound.

 Standing on top of Observation Hill.

 I was able to go out with a drill team to drill a dive hole for some divers and some researchers going out to catch some fish.  We were in the large drill rig, following the divers in their Piston Bully.

We passed an ice burg frozen in the sound. Pretty spectacular.  I'll be taking a trip out in a few weeks to check this thing out up close.

 Inside Caption Scott's 'Terra Nova' Hut at Cape Evans.  We drilled the dive hole not far from the hut.

 The fishing team cleaning out the ice shavings from the hole.  The water was an amazing aqua blue that gave away to the deepest clear blue water I've seen.

 On our way back, we found some Weddell seals.  They chew threw the ice to make their our escape hole.

My first three weeks

It's hard to believe that I've been on the ice for three weeks already!  For the most part, I've got the place figured out and have had plenty of time to get out and explore. Here's a few pictures of this place and a few of my adventures so far.

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Antarctica! I finally made it!

After months of planning and weeks of traveling, I've finally stepped on the icey contenant!!  We were able to fly down to the ice on a modified Airbus instead of the typical C-17.  Some were dissapointed to not be taking the C-17, but we travelled in luxury! Most of us were in business class seats and we were able to look out the windows and see Antarctica as we flew in.  The views from the plane were incredible!  It's hard to believe I'm actually here!!

 Loading up and ready to fly!

 Mt. Erebus from the plane.  Mt. Erebus is the southern most active volcano in the world.

 The sea ice from the plane.

 The Ice Runway.  We landed on the ice runway that is only operational for a few months before it melts away. 

Stepping off the plane!  It was amazing walking out and realizing we were there!

 Making our way over the Ivan the Terra Bus for transport to the station.

My new buddies enjoying our first sunset at Hut Point!