GOLF 4-3-9 Antarctica Expedition 2008
Report Day 08 -- Monday 03 November 2008 -- It Takes a Lot of Planning
|
GOLF 4-3-9 Antarctica Expedition 2008 |
|
| Daily Reports 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 20 | 25 | 27 | 30 | 35 | 37 | 38 | 42 |
We have been slacking off in our reporting, but not much happened that is worth writing about: more briefings, catching up with paperwork, hitting the gym and the galley.
We brought the flag made by the Indian Island 5th grade class (Penobscot Nation school in Old Town, Maine!!!) up to the BFC to have patches sewn on and a binding to make it more likely to withstand the wind out in the field. There were two BFC people working hard on the banner, Leah Biezums and Kate Koomes.
Today we are starting to prepare for our field work in the Dry Valleys. There are lots of things to do, if you want to get out there, be fed and happy so you can do your work. Today we pulled our camp food and now we have to start packing everything and weigh it. The weights are important so we can plan our helo-loads.
Our trip over to the BFC food locker was very brisk, biting cold and windy. It was fun pulling all the energy bars we want (including chocolate), breakfast, lunch and dinner for about a week. This whole thing is extremely well organized, everything imaginable is there, at least anything that can be done out in the field (no fresh vegetables or fruit!). The food-locker-chief, Peggy Malloy, even wrote an Antarctic Field Camp Cookbook that can be used to get all the quantities and ingredients for the cooked meals. It is amazing how all the supplies needed add up.
Just so you know, we are still not done with all of our training: Today, Toby Weisser taught us about ATV (four-wheeler) safety, maintenance and operation. We will need the ATVs to get around on Lake Fryxell. This is the only place in the Dry Valleys where motorized transport does not leave a permanent environmental impact. Everywhere else in this arctic desert tracks would be are preserved for decades (probably centuries).
Two more days and we will be off to our Taylor Valley adventure. Stay warm.
| GOLF 4-3-9 Antarctica Expedition |