I’ve been having so much fun. Shortly after our arrival on base we were sent on our field training course. This includes field survival skills, hiking over snow covered mountains wearing crampons, abseiling into a crevasse and camping overnight in a pyramid tent.
After being shown the contents of a field medical box to prepare us for the worst, and some basic rope skills to prepare us for the best, we were driven away from the base in a snow-cat (a big tractor). We were taught how to walk safely (roped together), how to rescue each other in the event one of us took an unplanned crevasse exploration, and how to set up a pyramid tent. Digging out a hole in the snow to prevent air circulating under the tent is the first step, ensuring the door is pointing away from the wind and getting the tent setup is next. These big orange canvass tents are pretty heavy but once inside you see why – they’re so cosy and warm! Inside the tent then goes a ground sheet, a small mountain of rugs, roll mats, blankets and sleeping bags, a pots box, field kit and food box. We were then ready to prepare our evening meal – we melted and boiled snow to make up the dehydrated meals, my culinary delight was vegetable casserole. Following the addition of a bucketload of marmite, and some biscuits and a cup of tea afterwards, the meal was actually tasty, especially after a day of exercise out in the cold.
We left some snow in a pan to melt overnight; when we awoke in the morning it was still snow! However I was toasty and warm in my down sleeping bag and I’d had a reasonable nights sleep, despite the light keeping me awake a little (it’s constant daylight down here at the moment). We melted more snow, had tea and porridge for breakfast, and then set off for more fun. First of all we climbed down in to a crevasse, which was stunning. The diffraction of blue light by snow gives a beautiful blue glow, and you’re surrounded by long icicles formed from melting snow in the summer. I felt like I was in a magical ice kingdom in Narnia! Some bits were difficult to navigate – the ice is slippery and hard when you slide into it. We the set off to walk along reptile ridge - a small mountain ridge close to Rothera. Walking uphill in the snow was hard work but well worth it for the views on the top!
Life on base is fun too, we had an open mike night on Friday, I was astounded by the quality of some of the music, especially Mel’s singing! Saturday night is treated as such - everyone gets dressed up for a three course meal with wine, and the ‘2 drinks per night’ rule is relaxed. Last night we had a poker night and other evening entertainment can include snowsports on the nearby hills, science talks, film showings or playing musical instruments in the ‘green room’.
I’m also finding time to do some work, most of my equipment is set up, the lab here is very well equipped and there’s lots of support from the mechanical workshop, field assistants, electricians and science coordinators. Bad weather has prevented us going out in the boat to get samples- the weather is 1.4 degrees, it’s snowing and the wind speed is 26 mph, so setting up some equipment on the roof of a container this morning was refreshing!
