iceblog!

ANTARCTICA 2003, BABY!

Did I fail to prep you guys? Did I fail to mention that I'm already on my way to Antarctica?

I'm already on my way to Antarctica.

Steve drove Chuck Kurnik and I to the airport on Thursday afternoon, we flew to L.A. and then to Auckland and then to Christchurch, New Zealand, arriving in Christchurch yesterday around 10 AM. I am staying at the YMCA; they've given me a nice single on the fourth floor, overlooking the buildings of the Arts Center across the street. The weather has been pleasantly dreary: 11 degrees C and drizzly. The weather in McMurdo appears to be a bit chillier: -25 degrees C. Brrr.

Because the weather has been pretty if-y down south, flights have been if-y as well. Lots of delays and lots of boomerangs (get partway down, have to turn around and come back up), they say. We were supposed to leave tomorrow morning; now we're scheduled for Tuesday morning (remember that we're a day ahead of the U.S.). Another day to hang out in Christchurch, eat good food, and get some sleep. And, more importantly, hang out with friends getting up to Chch after wintering over on the ice. This morning, I ran into a group including two favorites: cargo Mikee and power plant (AKA blue-eyed) Dave. Hooray! And they don't even look too much worse for the wear. No weird twitches, not even any sign of suffering social skills. I'm proud of them.

In about 5 minutes, I'm due next door in the CDC (Clothing Distribution Center) to get my ECW (Extreme Cold Weather gear). The acronyms have started. Time to try on lots of warm clothing and try to get some goods that fit. Hats, gloves, pants, more gloves, jackets, another hat or two, long underwear, and probably some more gloves. Oh, and boots. Wish me luck!

[Dave and Elizabeth.]

[Boys with swords.]

[Dave's obsession.]

[Goodbye (for now).]