Playtime - Dessert

After a torrid weekend of trekking around the Mitchell peninsula, many of the expeditoners were sitting on the deck in front of the red shed, enjoying a G&T, basking in the sun's rays and reflecting on a fantastic weekend.  Everyone was sharing stories of what adventures they had been on and what had been the standout when the words "penguin chicks" were mentioned.  The fatigue from our recently completed ski haul was quickly forgotten when the opportunity to travel across to Shirley Island was possible tonight and see penguin chicks.  The sea ice joining the island to the mainland was starting to show signs of breaking out to sea so we had to take this opportunity while we could.  Immediately after dinner a group of six headed down to Shirley and begun searching for the elusive first chicks of the season.  Enjoy the photos.  I certainly had a ball taking them.

 

 

Stealing rocks from another nest is a popular pastime.

The water is beautiful, once your in.

 A proud new parent.

 

 Normally we have to stay 5 metres away from Adelie penguins and when they are breeding the distance increases to 30 metres.  These guys ignored the rules and walked right up to  me.  Cool.

 

 

 

Playtime - Main Course

Last Sunday was a warm up to this weekends demanding travel itinerary.  A plan was hatched mid week for a group of skiers to head out to the Mitchell Peninsula on Saturday afternoon, pitch some polar tents and camp out in the wilderness.  Camp, I hear you ask and it was what I was asking myself as we set off attempting to ski and tow sleds out from station and up the hill towards Kenny, our goal for the night.

Matt, Cam, Brent, Dean, Bec and Dan enjoying a well earned rest.

 

The weather was playing nicely again with absolutely perfect conditions for trekking across the countryside.  The group dragged their way uphill for approximately three kilometres then enjoyed another five kilometres of undulating terrain in and around the Mitchell peninsula to arrive at the campsite for the night at about 7.30pm. 

 

Camping Antarctic style at Kenny.

A couple of pre dinner drinks were enjoyed by the group while Brent took on the role as master chef.  After dinner everyone continued to lap up the perfect windless conditions to watch the sun dip, as it will not set until late January over Antarctica.  Bec produced a fantastic gourmet dessert which was devoured as the weary travellers mellowed, sat back and absorbed the scenery.

 

 Young Cam ripping it up.

Snow baseball anyone?

The morning arrived quickly with everyone waking rejuvenated after sleeping well in their comfy polar tents.  After a quick stretch to ensure all of the moving parts were still able to, the party backed up the tents, loaded the gear back on the sleds and proceeded to enjoy the three hour return ski back to station.

Happy days.

 

 



Playtime - Entree'

The weekends are a busy time at Casey station where most people work until 1pm on Saturday then the minds turn to R&R with many of the punters looking to get off station.  Last Sunday a group of intrepid travellers braved the snow showers engulfing the Clark Peninsula and headed out to ski to the old American station Wilkes, which is approximately nine kilometres from Casey.  Wilkes was handed over to Australia to manage in 1959, who then moved to their new station in 1969. 

Luke, Dean and Dr Nick in another snow shower.

 

 

The group donned their survival packs and skis and headed out onto the powdery surface.  It had begun to snow at 4pm Saturday afternoon would not stop until we had completed our round trip so the surface felt like you were sliding your skis through marshmallow.  The visibility was poor though the atmosphere with the snow swirling around you was quite mesmerising.  Two and a half hours later the party arrived at it's destination, the Wilkes Hilton, complete with complementary bath robes and slippers.

Louise and Colin (the penguin gurus), who were using Wilkes as a base for their research, were very hospitable welcoming in the weary travellers with a warm cup of tea and a couple of Tim Tams.  After a quick rest and a warm up around the unlit wood fire, the skiers again braved the elements and shoosed off into the great white.






Dr Sheri happy for some respite at Wilkes.

The snow had settled down and was becoming firmer and more predictable under foot which made the return journey a more enjoyable experience.  The round trip took approximately five and a half hours and by the beaming smile on the faces of the skiers when they returned to Casey showed either they had experienced a cracker of a day or were just happy to have a hot shower.  Mine was a cracker!

Luke, Dan and Bec heading for home.

Man hauling

I understand the title of this post may sound obscure to some but to come to down to Antarctica man hauling was something I had to experience.  I first read about man hauling when the early expeditioners had used up all of their other options traversing the continent so they had to drag all of the provisions themselves.   Admittedly our trek wasn’t an attempt to win the race to the South Pole, but an overnighter out to Jack’s hut fifteen kilometres away, but I did day dream a little as we marched towards our pole.  

Stu and Gav enjoying the climb.

I was fortunate to be invited to join the travelling party of Stu, Craig and Gav on a beautiful bright sunny and still Sunday afternoon stroll out to another of the outlying station huts.  Reputation preceded this formidable trio, with all three having a history in competing in many endurance events.  I knew I was in for a hiding or an unforgettable experience.

The three amigos.

We set off from the station at 5pm after Gav (aka chef, Gavinator?) finally arrived after  his afternoon nap and usual fluffing about.  The weather was playing nicely today and provided the party with plenty of fantastic photo opportunities as well as a lovely Antarctic suntan.  The mood was jovial as the group meandered along the moraine line heading out to Jacks and the banter was as entertaining as it was colourful.

  Happy days.

A tricky traverse to avoid the unpredictable sea ice.

 

The sleds and harnesses made the trip surprisingly comfortable with the group able to make the trip to the hut in approximately three hours.  Once settling into the hut and refreshments had been but on ice, Gav served up an absolute feast for the ravenous bunch.   After a couple of quiet ones and a few smoked oysters a reasonably early night was enjoyed by all.  I base this assumption on the sun hadn’t gone down when I went to bed.  The return trip the next morning wasn't approached with as much enthusiasm as the previous afternoon and we all arrived safely back at Casey at around 10am.  A fantastic couple of days was had by all and it was definately one for the memories.  I think the guys were over me saying repeatedly,  How good is this?, Can you believe we are man hauling in Antarctica? 

The view from inside Jack's hut.  The flat area between the rocks in the forground and the island is all sea ice which is expected break out in the next month.

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