Antarctic Acronyms

USAP - U.S. Antarctic Program, the United States' presence in Antarctica; sponsored by the NSF
NSF - National Science Foundation, the U.S. gov't branch sponsoring our program
GA - General Assistant, my job title (Operations GA)
WAIS - Western Antarctic Ice Sheet, 800 miles southwest of McMurdo.  I'll be going there in less than a month for a two-week field camp stint.
BFC - Berg Field Center, the dept that provides all the gear and food for field expeditions (tents, pee bottles, sleeping bags, backpacking food, etc.)  Part of our GA tasking has been to work in the BFC food room, repackaging bulk food for field deployment (trail mix, dehydrated potatoes, etc.)
VMF - Vehicle Maintenance Facility (also known as the Heavy Shop) operates on light vehicles like F-350's (yeah, for us that's a light vehicle) as well as heavy equipment and all the tracked vehicles.
FEMC - Facilities, Equipment, Maintenance and Construction.  Kind of like the Physical Plant, repairs stuff around the station, does long- and short-term projects.  If something in your building breaks, you call FEMC.
MCI - Mass Casualty Incident.  If something explodes and a bunch of people get blown up, or a plane crashes, or various other injurious disasters happen, you've got an MCI. Also, I'm apparently signed up as a volunteer stretcher-bearer in the event of an MCI.
SAR - Search and Rescue.  If you get lost out somewhere or caught in a storm or fall in a crevasse, SAR will come and get you.
SSC - Science Support Center.  In the SSC you'll have the Motor Pool, the science cargo, and field safety training.
POC - Point of Contact; sometimes your supervisor or maybe the comms person in your dept.  They keep you informed of important information, and if you head out of town and check out with MacOps (our station-wide comms center), you have to have a POC that knows what you're up to.
SVB - Survival Basics.  Used if you need to, you know, survive here in a storm or something.
FNG - Fucking New Guy; a newbie to Antarctica.
POG - Passionfruit Orange Guava, a juice mix famous in the galley for its deliciousness.
HW - Human Waste.  Literally, shit.  Gained this vocab in my day working in the Waste Dept.
FW - Food Waste.  Part of our waste management system here.  Everyone sorts their trash into very specific bins. 
PL - "Plastics". Part of Waste Management.
NR - Non-recyclables.  Waste Management.

Happy Camper

For the full photo album of "Happy Camper," go to
 http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2012034&id=143700020&l=af0a31820f.  

This weekend was my "Happy Camper" course, which is a two-day, one night training out on the Ross Ice Shelf (aka middle of nowhere).  Though we could see the kiwi base, Scott Base, in the distance, there was nothing of civilization but a blue Jamesway called the I-hut, where our instructors slept, a shed that held our tools and sleeping bags, and an outhouse.  Red and green flags circled the Happy Camper area, letting us know that there were no crevasses nearby and it was safe to walk. 

The purpose of Happy Camper is to simulate a survival situation in Antarctic weather conditions, and teach campers how to use survival bags (filled with a tent, shovel, sleeping bag, dehydrated food, stove etc.) and how to build snow shelters to survive for a few hours or a few days.

We rode a Delta (ENORMOUS vehicle to be carrying people in, you have to climb a six foot ladder to get in) out to the Happy Camper site, where they dropped us off to die to practice survival skills.  I promptly fell asleep in the Delta, as I hadn't gotten much sleep the night before and was crowded shoulder-to-shoulder with people I didn't know in a rollicking vehicle.  I snuggled down into my coat and got a bit of shut-eye, and was a little disappointed to find that the camp was only 15 minutes away from station, which ended my nap quickly.

After getting to camp, we erected a Scott tent (right) and Megan, one of the instructors, showed us how to anchor it down using Dead Man anchors, which involve burying a short bamboo pole in a notched pit the snow and wrapping string around it, so the string comes back out of the snow and you can hitch it back to itself using a trucker's hitch (which I didn't know how to do before, but is amazingly efficient and awesome.) 

Next we built a Quinzhee, which is a snow shelter/cave shaped like a beaver dam made out of snow.  You stack all your bags in a big pile (for us was 20 huge duffels), cover the bags in snow, then dig out the mound and pull the bags out.  The snow keeps its shape, and you dig from underneath to keep the wind from blowing in.  It's really cool.

Some people also slept in snow trenches, which they dug out of the ground and covered the openings with slabs of snow. I might add here that the Antarctic snow, at least on the ice shelf, is extremely hard-packed and dry, lending itself perfectly to awesome construction projects.

We also set up 4-season mountaineering tents and build snowblock windbreak walls around them, and dug a kitchen trench and cooking area where we set up our stoves to boil water (to make food out of dehydrated backpacking dinners).  Will, Chris and I (the first 3 GA's to arrive on the Ice out of our 9-person crew) ended up manning the stoves, as many other people were busy building trenches for the night or walking around trying to keep warm.  I chose to sleep in a Scott tent (the tall, pyramid-shaped ones), and our four bodies warmed it to between -10 and 0 degrees F throughout the night (toasty!).  The next morning, I dragged myself out of my tent to go pee, which was good because I don't know if I would have gotten out of my sleeping bag for any other reason.  

After making oatmeal for breakfast, we all met back in the Instructor Hut, a semi-permanent blue Jamesway , that would serve as our classroom.  The instructors talked about minimizing risk when outdoors in Antarctica, and we learned about VHF and HF radios.  VHF is like a normal CB radio that truckers have, or like a handheld walkie talkie radio.  HF radios are for long-term, long-distance camps or like ones you see in war movies where it's a big box and you talk on a telephone handset.  They're both pretty sweet.

Next was the Buckethead drill, where our group put 5 gallon buckets over our heads to simulate a whiteout condition (no visibility and inability to hear much.)  One of the instructors went out in the direction of the outhouse and we had to organize a search party tied to a rope to go rescue him.  We ended up finding him by using a sweeping technique with two people at the end of our rope, but Dylan the instructor said that we got lucky and many groups don't find their lost man in the drill.

Arriving back at McMurdo and climbing into my bed in the heated dorm room felt soooo nice.  The dorm is heated to probably 70 degrees and feels way too hot most of the time, but right then it was very welcome.  Happy Camper was a great experience, and I think the important thing I learned wasn't necessarily how to survive in the cold, but that I should try my best to NOT get stuck out there during a storm!

Cheech

It wasn't until experiencing the Christchurch (Cheech, Chch) Botanic Gardens in their springtime splendor that I undersood where the term "floral print" came from.  The city obviously takes great pains to maintain this beautiful park area, and it is, dare I say, more beautiful than the Boise one.  That may be owing to a high desert climate in Boise, and an English influence here in Chch. 

I found that though the YMCA (my accommodation) is strikingly absent on Ice people, it is literally next door to the Botanic Gardens, Arts Center and the Canterbury Museum (which is free and awesome).  Right below the Y is a care called Robert Harris Coffee Roasters, and is undeniably cool.  It reminds me a little of Flying M back home, but silghtly less indie.  Having a bage and coffee there this morning was quite delightful, as they played both OCMS' "Wagon Wheel" and Josh Ritter's "Harrisburg" I think once Josh and I get back and have a little more time to explore the music scene, we'll find ti quite to our liking.  I also need to get ahold of Piper Trulock, a friend from C of I that promptly moved here after graduation.  She's working at a beer bar! 

Pictures to come.

Toodles,

Lael

Denver...

I don't really know if I could ever live in a bigger city than Boise, at least a bigger American one.  The main reason isn't even because of huge cities, tons of traffic, throngs of people downtown.  More than anything else, is the astonishing amount of urban and suburban sprawl. Our hotels in "Denver" (or is it Littleton, Aurora, Centennial, etc.????) are in the middle of an area that can be best described as the Eagle/Meridian hybrid of franchises and 6-lane streets, like the corner of Chinden and Eagle road multiplied a thousand times.  It's awful.  The hotel rooms are really nice, with their own kitchenette, a couch, full-size desk, and a better continental breakfast than I've ever had at home.

The Denver orientation is going alright.  I know more now about 100% fall protection (full harnesses must be worn at heights, of 4 feet or more) and I know how to safetly erect a scaffolding (theoretically).  Today was the General Deployment orientation, and they ran through some really relevant information, like payroll, insurance, and, most excitingly, TRAVEL!  Lynn Dorman from the Travel dept. started her presentation out by saying "Hey guys, you have the most extreme commute in the world!"  That's true, we do have to travel a few thousand miles...

We had pizza for lunch two days in a row at Orientation (blehhhhh, not good pizza either) and after eating a frozen dinner from the hotel store for dinner last night, my body was hating me.  So I went to "JOY", the Japanese bistro/sushi place next to the hotel and had a couple rolls.  I absolutely hate going out by myself in any fashion, whether it's to a movie, coffee, shopping, and especially out to eat.  So I was delighted when I walked into the sushi place to see another GA on my crew, Chris, eating dinner there with his girlfriend.  She'll be a GA at the South Pole, but doesn't deploy until later in October.  They're bummed that they couldn't both get hired at Pole (Chris is in McMurdo with me) because they might not see each other for about 4 months.  I've only been away from Josh for two weeks and I'm already going crazy!

"I think tomorrow is going to be a hungry day," Chis prophesized, and I think he's gonna be right.  After our morning training, we're dropped off at the Denver airport with our baggage, and get left there until our flight at 4:30.  No lunch provided, and not even the opportunity to go outside of an airport for the next 36 hours or so...so I'm hoping to snag enough hotel breakfast food in Ziploc bags to tide me over in the first airport, at least.  After that, it's airplane food and clif bars for me!  (trying to save my per diem).

The next time you hear from me, I'll probably be in Christchurch!

My Stay in Christchurch

It looks like my long vacation (delay) in Christchurch may be coming to an end. The first group flew out today and if all goes well I will fly out tomorow moring. I've had a great time in chch, and as excited as I am to get down to the Ice I'll be sad to leave. I've eaten some great food and seen some great sights. I'm glad that I had this delay time because it gave me an opportunity to get to know my crew before we start working together. I think that I'm going to have a great season and learn a lot.

  

My Journey Thus Far

I arrived in ChristChurch, New Zealand yesterday around noon local time. Prior to that I spent three days in Denver doing OSHA training and orientation. The training wasn't really all that bad, and it was really nice to meet all of my fuels crew. They seem like a fun and lively bunch. I'm really looking foward to the season on the Ice with these guys. I'll be going over to the CDC today at one to get my ECW (Extreme Cold Weather) gear, and from there will be exploring the city of ChristChurch. I was scheduled to leave for the Ice tomorow morning, but because of snowstorms in McMurdo I won't be leaving till thursday at the very earliest, and I wouldn't be surprised if I got delayed further.

Predictions

I'm going to go ahead and say that I really don't know what to expect, but from gleaning various Antarctic blogs, websites, books and a few Ice People I know (including my aunt), I hear that McMurdo is just like a small college campus. There's the dorms, the cafeteria, the rec center, the weight room, the coffee house, the bar (if you're a wet campus like C of I), the parties, the gossip, and the copious amounts of licentious sexcapades and binge drinking. Just like college, should be a nice transition for me since I'm a recent college grad and am used to the lifestyle (albeit trying to show restraint with the last three).

I predict Antarctica will be stark and beautiful; the landscape harsh and unapologetic, completely comfortable being the most environmentally hospitable place on earth yet drawing humans to explore its wonders. I predict that it will be unbearably cold, then eternal daylight, then unbearably cold again. I predict that I will work hard, break my back, heal my back, tell myself that labor is character-building and that I'm in the pursuit of science, and bond with my crew. I don't predict that I will "have a great experience and make lifelong friends" because I'd never consciously write something that cliche. There will be stories galore, I hope-- not necessarily all good or all funny, because that's not what life is. I am a memory collector, an experience hoarder, and a skill-seeker. I want those things, and I hope I can draw them out of this cold harsh land.

Gathering of the Fuelies

A word from Alex Morris, head of Fuels and Josh's boss: Greetings one and all. the time draws nigh to a gathering of all Summer 09-10 Fuelies. Just as a quick reminder, all of you should have tickets or be in process of getting ticketed. If not, please call me ASAP! You will be arriving in Denver on Sept. 23^rd for DJ’s 40^th birthday training and deployment. OSHA training will occur the morning of the 24^th at 7:30am. Shuttles will be provided by the hotel and Raytheon. After we all go through LOCK OUT/TAG OUT training, we’ll shuttle back to the hotel for Fuelie Training. The 25^th is another full day of training (ethics, Raytheon’s tactical assault systems, IT INFOSEC completion for those you who haven’t done it yet), and a heap of other stuff. Training on the 24^th and 25th ends at 5:00pm. (There are a few businesses close to the hotel that offer food and beverage service if there is anyone interested in such.) We all return on the 26^th for another morning of fun in the saddle and then we all get on busses and head to DIA for the commencement of our Antarctic adventure! Whooo hoooo! It is this last point that I wish to specifically address. Below is word from the head of the Deployment Specialist Group (DSG) concerning the increase in weight allowances when flying to McMurdo. It has gone from 75 to 150lbs. The international weight limit still remains 140lbs, but if you have a lead ballon collection that you’ve always wanted to bring to McMurdo, this is the year to do it. see you folks soon! alex 720-568-2266

Antarctica Gear!

Just bought a SmartWool crew top! Anti-microbial so it doesn't stink (as bad). Need to get a couple more of those, but I've got a start. Sticking with the SmartWool theme, I bought myself a pair of SmartWool pants to wear under my carhartt's, coveralls, etc.

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Also bought a couple pairs of mountaineering socks from Cabela's,
And last but not least, my big splurge: a GoLite women's softshell jacket.

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One of the things that Antarcticans consistently report regretting not bringing down is their own cold gear (NSF issues you some, but it's, well, borrowed goods.) Almost outfitted; good thing I won't be able to spend my paychecks b/c this gear is costing me a pretty penny.

Three Weeks to Deployment

I got my deployment itinnerary a few days ago and will be leaving on Sept. 23 for the Ice. I know that three weeks is going to fly by. It's hard to believe that it will actually be happening. I sometimes have to stop and consider how fortunate I am to have this opportunity. At 19, and with only two years of college credits, I'm very lucky to be going down to the work on the ice.