A Midwinter hike up Observation Hill and my winter lecture series presentation

Happy 4th of July from the bottom of the world!

I had planned a hike up Ob Hill on Father's Day as a memorial for my dad but the weather didn't cooperate. Today it did. After my Sunday morning gym routine the wind was still light so I suited up for a cold dark hike. Armed with my headlamp and super bright Surefire flashlight I pretty much crawled the 750 feet. It sure seemed steeper in the dark! I slipped and slid a few times because of the large amount of ice now present but eventually made it to the top. I actually became a bit disorientated near the top and unknowingly walked around to the other side. So at first I didn't see the cross and wondered where I was. After stumbling around several more feet I found it.


It was absolutely beautiful sitting by myself enjoying the view. The moon was out and there was a little bit of light on the northern horizon. The moon and stars were reflected off the iced over sound. If there is one thing I wished I had brought to Antarctica is a better camera to capture the Antarctic sky. I have posted a friend's aurora pictures on my blog but it just isn't the same since I didn't take the shots. My little camera is good at what it does except for night photography. 


During the descent I slid down more than I walked. It was fun but a little dangerous. Fortunately there are rock outcroppings to grab hold of. Once on the bottom I walked to Scott Base then returned to the galley in time for brunch.

My dad would have said, "Mike, that was a nice hike by golly."

In front of Scott's Terra Nova Expedition memorial cross on the top of Observation Hill. McMurdo lights in the background.

Around noontime with the almost full moon to the right. Not much else to take pictures of in the dark!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQ13PVycOrM&feature=youtu.be

A 90 second YouTube video from the top of Ob Hill.

Halfway down Ob Hill video.

Photo credit to Matt Nelson. A beautiful time lapsed aurora picture over the dorms.

A few more midwinter race pictures.

Number 784 - my phone number prefix.

Activities for the week:

*Dance Time—Mon and Sun

*Science Lecture Series “My Adventure with the Space Shuttle” by Mike Rice--Mon

*Stitch and Bitch—Tue

*Burger Bar—Wed and Sun

*Lunch in the Greenhouse—Thu

*American Night at Scott Base—Thu

*4^th of July Carnival, Chili Cook-Off and Auction—Fri

*VMF Horseshoe Tournament—Sat

*Yearbook Photos—Sun

*Burrito Bar—Sun

*Church—Sun

I presented "My Adventure with the Space Shuttle" at the Coffee House Theater.

I played two videos then a 140 picture slideshow and lecture.

There was a good and appreciative crowd.

One of the cooks made brownies.

Matt wasn't quick enough to capture the next picture which had my wife Andee in it.

I received a nice round of applause at the end.