We're Physically Qualified!

After running back and forth to Boise nearly every weekend this summer, numerous doctor visits, dentist visits, failed faxes, mailed x-rays, and phone calls back and forth to HR for paperwork, Raytheon informed us that we are "Physically Qualified to deploy to McMurdo Station." I thought this day would never come!

Our First Piece of Antarctica Gear!

Today Josh and I found a steal on backcountry.com in their luggage sale section. On sale for half the MSRP, we bought two Patagonia Black Hole duffel bags, each holding 90L of stuff (hence the name "black hole"). It always feels weird to make big purchases online, but the shipping was free and backcountry always has great stuff. It also feels weird to buy the same bag in the same color as my boyfriend which makes me feel like I'm part of this weird cookie cutter couple thing, but whatever, black was the only color in stock. They should be delivered to my Boise house by Tuesday. Then, the packing tests begin!

USAP email: "recent changes"

(edited for length) This e-mail is being sent to all RPSC and NANA employees and alternates deploying to McMurdo and South Pole. SYDNEY You will deploy through Sydney this season instead of Auckland. This is lame for us because it puts our arrival in Christchurch at a much later time, and eats up our free days before heading to the Ice.

• Participants with non-U.S. passports must obtain a transit visa before deploying. Apply online at www.australianvisaonline.com/#australia_transit_visa; there is no charge. If in doubt, contact an Australian Embassy or Consulate.
• Wait until Sydney or Christchurch to purchase duty-free liquids, aerosols or gels (LAGs). LAGs purchased at LAX will be confiscated in Australia. Non-LAG purchases are allowable. Really?! But I wanted to buy my allowable 2 handles of premium Scotch! ;)
• Leaving the terminal is in violation of Australian law. This won't affect us much, as our layover will only be a few hours anyway, not long enough to get out of the airport to see anything.

BAGGAGE ALLOWANCES The NSF increased the baggage allowance on Mainbody flights between Christchurch and Antarctica. This is the combined checked weight of your ECW gear and personal luggage. (Save room for about 5 pounds of ECW gear.) Carry-on allowance is the same as for commercial flights, that is, it must fit inside the test box. Most airlines charge for one or more bags or for bags over 50 lbs (22 kg). Please check your airline’s website for estimated costs and be prepared to pay at the counter. You will be reimbursed for commercial baggage fees from your home to Denver as long as you follow the guidelines below and submit all receipts. (You can do that at Orientation.) RPSC covers baggage costs from Denver to Christchurch as long as you follow the guidelines below.

• • Commercial flights (Home-Denver-Christchurch):
  – up to 2 bags, no more than 70 lbs (32 kg) each, plus carry-on
  • Ice flight (Christchurch-McMurdo):
  – up to 150 lbs (68 kg) of checked luggage, each bag no more than 70 lbs (32 kg), plus carry-on

CURRENCY EXCHANGE Travelex offices at the Auckland airport and in downtown Christchurch (Cathedral Square and Colombo/Armagh Streets) are the only offices that waive currency exchange fees for USAP participants. Present the USAP Travelex letter in your travel folder and your passport. This is pretty neat, considering usually you get screwed as a foreigner with currency exchange. Luckily, as of today the US dollar was worth about 1.48 New Zealand dollars, so I'll have a little more cash with which to purchase schwag and souvenirs. Thank you, Deployment Specialists Group Raytheon Polar Services Company 7400 S. Tucson Way Centennial, CO 80112-3938 1-800-688-8606 prompt 2 303-790-8606 prompt 2 deploy@usap.gov