Whale Tagging

Here is a YouTube video of whale tagging . My boss got the opportunity to go on this trip and had an amazing time. Lucky her!!

Discovery Hut aka Scott's Hut

Here's some photos from the inside of Discovery Hut at Hut Point. Discovery Hut was built by Robert Falcon Scott during the Discovery Expedition of 1901–1904 in 1902 and is located at Hut Point on Ross Island by McMurdo Sound, Antarctica. Visitors to Antarctica, arriving at either the US Base at McMurdo or New Zealand's Scott Base are likely to encounter Discovery Hut as all three are located on Hut Point. Discovery Hut is just 300m from McMurdo Base.

Some confusion arises because Discovery Hut can correctly be referred to as Scott's Hut, in that his expedition built it, and it was his base 'ashore' during the 1901–1904 expedition. But the title 'Scott's Hut' correctly belongs to the building erected in 1911 at Cape Evans.

Here's some pictures I took on New Years Day.

Ice Stock 2012-2013

This is part of what happened on New Year's Eve! This was so much fun! WARNING - Strong language!

Happy New Year 2013

Happy 2013 from the bottom of the world! I had a super - amazing day yesterday celebrating New Years Eve! It started with brunch - egg white omelet with ham, onions, peppers and cheese. Then I spent some time at my favorite place - the coffee house. Went for a walk down to Hut Point to go inside Scott's Hut and that was quite amazing! Old cans of food, mummified seals and sheep used for food, tools and other items. Then I had to see if my penguin friend was still there (YES, I SAW A PENGUIN A FEW DAYS AGO!!!!) and he was there!! So I hung out and took some more pictures and by the time I got back to town, Ice Stock had begun. Ice Stock was our New Years Eve celebration. There was a chili cook - off (Amazing chili!) and 11 bands playing from 4:00 PM til 1:00 AM..oh and Skuas!! They were having a great time swooping over the crowd and pooping on people! They did this every 30 minutes or so! No I didn't get hit! I had a lot of fun with my friends here at the Bottom of the World but have been thinking about all my friends and family back home too! I will be home pretty soon and can't wait!!

Happy New Year! Here's to a Happy and Healthy 2013!! As the Kiwi's say, "Cheers"!!

Inside the Coffee House

My Adelie Penguin Friend

Ice Stock, McMurdo Station, Antarctica

Merry Christmas From The Bottom of the World

I hope that all of you have a wonderful and joyous Christmas filled with love and happiness! Be sure to give your loved ones a warm hug! Tho I am spending my holidays here and away from family and friends, know that all of you are in my thoughts and prayers. I miss everyone. Be safe!

Today I work up to a Winter Wonderland! It is still snowing and looks like we will have a White Christmas!
Here's what it looked like when I woke up this morning:

SNOW!!

I guess when it's all said and done, we should get 6 inches of snow! Don't forget, it's summer here! Well, I guess it is now Fall since it's after the 21st.

My weekend was spent doing all kinds of fun things but the best fun thing I did was go out on another Pressure Ridge tour at Scott Base. It was cloudy, windy and cold that evening so the pictures are not as striking as the first time I went, but it was still fun! I spent 2 evenings at the Coffee House and got to enjoy some Egg Nog Lattes! Out Christmas party for the Fire department is on the 26th and that should be fun. We are doing a White Elephant - it should be interesting!! Oh and if you are on Facebook, check out the Flat Russo page that my friends at MPD have started! It's pretty funny although I will pay them all back! And my roommate, Sarah works in the kitchen and got us some fresh avocados!! I haven't had one since I left to come here!! YAY and YUM!! Here's some pictures from the Pressure Ridges the other day and the avocados!

Weddell Seal - they were right on the trail!

Avocados!!

Merry Christmas From Down Under the World (and So Far the World Hasn't Ended)

It is December 21st here and so far the Mayans have been wrong! I have a day off today! In fact I get 3 whole days off in a row!!! I know...shocking! Wes and Marsha arrived here yesterday and have brought our dispatch corps up to full staff - 4. That means no more 6 days of 10 1/2 hour shifts! I will have some time off again to do fun stuff !! Yes, I'm more than a little happy about it! Tonight I am going out to the Pressure Ridges at Scott Base again. It is cloudy with a little snow in the air so my pictures will not have the striking contrast like the first time I was there but it is so beautiful there I can't pass it up!

I get to go back to work on Monday, Christmas Eve. We are having our formal dinner that day and I have signed up for my "seating" at 3:00PM. After work I am going to Church. Then on Christmas I have to work day shift but then there is a big party at the VMF (Vehicle Maintenance Facility) that night. Then on the 26th is the Fire Department Christmas party at Hut 10 (a nice little house type building with a living room and big screen TV, dining room and kitchen - outside there's a deck that over looks the ice and a BBQ grill). and then on New Years Eve (I am off) we have Ice Stock. It's a big party outside with bands, booze (of course), a chili cook off and dancing.

Here's some pictures of Christmas down here. No lights because the diesel fuel for the generators is expensive and difficult to get down here so they don't want to waste it on Christmas lights.

Christmas Decorations - the Firehouse is in the Background

My Room Door

Ob Hill Loop Hike

Today I went for a hike on Ob Hill Loop with 2 firemen - Michael and Jeff. We hiked the 2.7 mile loop around Observation Hill. Here is what our intranet site says about it:

Ob (Observation) Hill Loop

Current Status: Open

Last Updated: October 02, 2012 10:41 AM

Requirements Footplan Required? No Radio Required? No Solo Travel Permitted? Yes

Distance: 2.7 miles loop

Travel Times

Very High Activity Level - 1 hour

Exercise frequently, can hike 10-15 miles with ease.

High Activity Level - 1.5 hours

Exercise regularly, can hike 5-10 miles with ease.

Fair Activity Level - 2.0 hours

Exercise infrequently.

Low Activity Level - 2.5 hours

Exercise rarely or not at all.

• Description
  The Ob Hill Loop trail takes you out to Cape Armitage and around the back side of Observation Hill (see Ob Hill trail description) via a land route. Peace and solitude are experienced as you approach Cape Armitage from either direction.

  Route
  The Ob Hill Loop trail begins with a road walk at either end. You can access the trail from the road to Scott Base (just off the road as it begins a climb towards Ob Hill) or you may access by walking past Crary and the Helo Pad, across the pedestrian bridge and then by following the road as it climbs back up towards Ob Hill.

  
  

  The trail is 1.37 miles long and the total loop distance is 2.7 miles. The trail can be walked in either direction with a steep climb as you approach the side slope behind Ob Hill. Care should be used if snow has covered the trail particularly in this area. The trail is marked by red sleeved bamboo poles.

  

  Current Hazards
  There is a steep side slope behind Ob Hill. Snow collects on the trail and can cause hazardous footing. Please report any trail hazards. The trail is located where lichens and other small plant life grows in the summer months. To minimize environmental impact users should remain on the designated trail at all times. During the austral summer the Helo Pad is off-limits for pedestrian travel.

  Proper Gear
  While ECW clothing is not required for Ob Hill, it is recommended that you bring layers of clothing as hikers heat up quickly as they climb, and cool rapidly at the summit. Bunny boots should be used only if no other sturdy, warm boot is available.

We had a nice day with the temp at 30 degrees, light winds and overcast skies. It took us about 90 minutes. It made for a nice day off for me today! Here are some pictures.

A piece of coral on the trail

Mike Wetzel and Me