Monday, November 24, 2014

Cape Evans, Icebergs, Boondoggle!

"People don't go to Antarctica. They are called to Antarctica."


I was fortunate enough to be chosen for a boondoggle (get out of town adventure) to Scott's Hut at Cape Evans about 13 miles from McMurdo.  We rode on Delta Gale which pulled a sled of survival gear (just in case).  It was a very warm day here, in the upper 20's F and no wind.  What a difference that makes.  Bernie and Liz were awesome guides.

Robert F Scott's hut was built at Cape Evans on Ross Island by the British Antarctica Expedition during Scott's Terra Nova expedition in 1911.  The 25' x 50' main building is insulated by seaweed and was heated by coal.  25 men lived here during the winter of 1911 in support of Scott's trek to the South Pole. It was abandoned in 1917.  It's in amazing shape and is full of historic artifacts.  A truly remarkable gem in the history of the exploration of Antarctica.

The icebergs trapped in the sea ice were cool too.  It was so quiet you could here them melting and the water dripping off the surfaces.  Once the sea ice melts in a month these bergs will move on with the current.

Mt Erebus from the sea ice.

Icebergs.


Inaccessible Island.  Coolest name ever.

Delta Gale and survival sled.

Liz, the coolest scientist.

More icebergs.

The gang.

Taking pictures.

A crack in the sea ice.  
In 4-6 weeks, this will be open water.

Scott's Hut at Cape Evans.

The kitchen area.

The science research desk.





Liz checked the integrity of the crack in the ice.

I thought Delta's were big.
Kind puts things inperspective.



Liz

Bernie

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