January 16, 2010

Byrd Surface Camp - Extra Notes

Here's a picture of me setting up tent and rainfly at Byrd. Outhouse in the back right.


Me bundled up awaiting flight home from Byrd. All ECW (extreme cold weather gear on). Insulated carhartt parka and overalls, insulated FDX boots, as well as underlayers.


Loading the Hercules (LC-130) from the rear.

Wearing ECW gear when boarding the plane is required in case of any emergency, you'll have it with you or on. But usually people take their gear partially off in the plane because its warm on the plane. But this trip we had a "cold deck" because we were transporting ice cores as well as passengers and other cargo back to McMurdo as well. Let me tell you this flight was horrible. Horrible (capital H). It was alright during the first hour of the three hour flight, the second hour was uncomfortable, but during the last hour I was so freezing. My hands and feet felt like they were going to have frostbite - it was that cold. I got up and walked around for the last 45 minutes but I was still freezing. It sucked. After landing and going outside it was nicer. Usually things seem better after you do them. But that sucked all around - I remember how painful that was.

This picture isn't of me, but it was how I was bundled up.