Posted by Cricket

Date: 15 January 2011
Temperature: -2
Wind Speed: 7 knots
Temp with wind chill:

Weather is one thing you can never rely on down here.  In December, at Sir Ernest Shackleton's base at Cape Royds in the Ross Sea Region of Antarctica, we had a 5-day storm of biting winds, cold temperatures and snow.  It was exciting at first, but then the daily buildup of snow in my tent and constant winds just lost their magic.  For some reason, I believed that that storm was our first and last.  I guess I thought that we’re in summer now and the weather should be sunny and even balmy during our last couple weeks here.  And, for the most part it has been, but just this week the winds shifted to the south, the temperature rose and we all realized we were in for another one.  This storm was a small one, mostly of blowy snow, and lasted just 2 days. Now that it’s over, it’s amazing to think how such a thing like a small storm affects your psyche.

It’s only after a storm that you realize how tiring living through one is.  Working outside is a bother and even the short commute between your tent, the kitchen wannigan, the conservation lab and the hut takes its toll.  It’s a quiet struggle, with your back hunched over and face scrunched up against the wind.  Your clothes get wet from all the snow, you wear your big issue boots, which weigh over 3kg, and everything seems a wee bit more of an effort.  And, when the storm finally leaves, there is a big relief.  The first sight of blue sky and sunlight seems like a marvelous gift that makes you smile.  It’s like seeing things for the first time, and suddenly everyone is just that much happier.  It’s been interesting living and working outside for just that reason – your life is not about news and events but more about what is going on in your immediate world and how vulnerable you are to it all.

Author:          Diana

Date:             January 13, 2011
Temperature: -1 to -2 degrees celcius
Wind Speed: 15 knots (20-30 knott gusts)
Temp with wind chill: -roughly -8c
Sunrise: Sun is up all the time

There are no naturally occurring sources of fuel for heating or cooking available in Antarctica. It has therefore always been necessary to bring some source of fuel. Today we use LPG (propane) and furnace oil for heating and cooking. They come to Antarctica with the container ship in February every year.

During the Heroic Era of Antarctic discovery, coal and coal Bricketts as well as paraffin were brought down, but they also used something more local – seal blubber (fat). It was not as effective a heat source and left a sooty layer from its smoke but worked just the same.  See this image of Meares and Oates at the blubber stove, cooking food for the dogs, May 26th 1911.

The Ross Sea Party, stranded from their ship the Aurora when she broke free of her anchors in 1914-15, used primarily blubber for heating and cooking. There remains a pile of seal blubber at Cape Evans from this group. With the restoration work going on it was best to cover the pile but this week the table-like cover was removed. The surface was cleaned by picking the bits of scoria gravel, feathers and dust off.  A retaining dam was constructed around the pile of blubber to keep it intact. It is an amazing site and the aroma is quite distinctive.

Posted by: Al Fastier

Date: 28 December 2010

The Carpentry team has spent the last two weeks cladding the roof of Captain Scott’s 1910 expedition base at Cape Evans. The product we are using has been chosen for its durability (an important factor in the harsh Antarctic environment) as well as its historical correctness in appearance. It’s a large job which requires attention to detail, such as welding the rubber seams of the cladding sheets to achieve the correct finish on the edging as used by the heroic explorers.

Fortunately the weather has favoured us, with the wind not interfering with the work and warm sunshine for the most part. A couple of times we have even managed to wear just socks on our feet for the work on the roof which heats up in the sun.

Yesterday we completed the cladding on the main body of the roof and it looks fantastic, fitting in well with the rest of the hut’s character.  It will really be something by the time the stables and western annexe are complete!

It is great to be a part of such an important and aesthetically pleasing project for the huts appearance as we approach the centenary of Captain Scott’s 1910-13 expedition.

Cladding the roof at Captain Scott's 1910-13 expedition base, Cape Evans © AHT 2010