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Mirounga leonina, southern elephant seal. Although seals spend a lot of time in the water, they evolved from a land-dwelling ancestor over 25 million years ago and still have to come back on land to breed.

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Antarctic conservation blog archive

Now we are 14

Nicola, Thursday 25 February 2010

Temperature: -12.5°C
Wind speed : 10 knots
Temperature with wind chill: -22°C

After 4 years away it’s been fantastic to step back onto the Ice and into Scott Base, this time as a veteran over-winterer.

Whilst so much is familiar, the biggest change for me is the people. Many of the team that I spent 2006 with are now friends off the ice, and I’m looking forward to getting to know the small team that was left here when the last flight left an hour ago. With the Antarctic winter fast approaching there will be no more flights in and out of Antarctica until late August.

Container ship being towed away from American base McMurdo by a Russian ice-breaker © Antarctic Heritage Trust / N Dunn

Container ship being towed away from American base McMurdo by a Russian ice-breaker © Antarctic Heritage Trust / N Dunn

The container ship that brings supplies to the American Base at McMurdo has off-loaded its cargo and left before the sea ice freezes over. It was towed away from its pier of floating compacted ice and out to open water by a Russian Ice-breaker.

I missed seeing this in 2006 so on Sunday Mindy, Lucy and I walked up the Hut Point ridge to get a good view of it leaving. As it left Winter Quarters Bay, where Scott’s ship ‘Discovery’ had wintered with the expedition team on board between 1901 and 1904, it dwarfed their little Discovery hut.

Discovery Hut, with Discovery at anchor behind, 1902 © R Skelton, Canterbury Museum

Discovery Hut, with Discovery at anchor behind, 1902 © R Skelton, Canterbury Museum

A couple of days later we learnt that the pier which has been used for the last 10 years has irreparably cracked and a new one will be constructed.

So, tonight we will celebrate becoming the 2010 winter team at Scott Base and toast absent friends.

Posted in Antarctica, Climate & weather, Hut point, Scott Base

4 Responses to “Now we are 14”
  1. March 4th, 2010 at 4:46 pm
    Steve Norris says:

    Hi Nicola,

    Looked at the NHM blog just by chance and saw that you are South again for another winter. I remember saying that it would get into your blood and you are doing some great conservation work. I stayed at my old pal Louise Bacon’s house a few weeks ago and she told me that you were in OZ !!!!!! Have a great time and of course a good midwinter celebration.

    Regards
    Steve Norris

  2. March 4th, 2010 at 10:58 pm
    Nick Mayo says:

    Haere mai Nicola.

    Enjoyed reading your post and reflecting on the social and technological changes that sweep the Ice. What a fascinating time as the sun dips, air chills, shadows lengthen and friendships deepen.

    We too toast you and wish you the best Winter and face painting :)

    Nick

  3. March 17th, 2010 at 2:15 pm
    Dave says:

    I am sure the crew of the Swedish icebreaker ODEN will be surprised to hear they are on a Russian icebreaker.

  4. April 7th, 2010 at 6:30 am
    Nicola says:

    Hi Dave,

    Yes you are absolutely right it was a Swedish icebreaker - apologies to the crew!

    Nicola

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