An awesome hike and moment

On March 29, 1912 Captain Robert Falcon Scott, RN and the last two of his men perished on the Ross Ice Shelf from exhaustion, starvation, and brutal weather.  They were found still in their tent 8 months later by a search party. Two other expedition members had already died on the return.The search party took Scott's log, photographic film, and other scientific recordings and specimens and returned to their ship at Winter Bay Quarters, now known as McMurdo. The search party fashioned and erected a large cross carved with the five names on it along with a quote from the poem Ulysses: "To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield" and erected it atop Observation Hill. They returned for the bodies but never found them again. It was assumed that part of the ice shelf broke apart and drifted out to sea. The Terra Nova Expedition had over 8000 applicants. The chosen 65 left in 1910.

On March 29, 2012 I along with nine others made the trek up Observation Hill to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of their deaths. We left at 6pm and had an awesome time hiking in the beautiful weather. The wind fully cooperated. It was a tough hike but we made it. There is lots of snow and loose rock but also many outcroppings of rock to grab onto. There was several times I was on all fours on the way up and down. The sunset was fantastic and one of the best I have ever seen as it shimmered off the ice. One of our group read Scott's final log entry. The video of that reading is after the pictures. 

Amundsen from Norway beat Scott to the South Pole by a month. McMurdo Station is on Ross Island. Scott's ship the Terra Nova was anchored at Winter Bay Quarters, McMurdo.

Scott is standing in the middle. This picture was taken the day after they reached the South Pole January 18, 1912. Nice gloves!

Climbing up Observation Hill

The sunset shimmering off the sea ice.

Mt. Erebus 13,000 feet.

Scott Base in the distance.

The ice shelf is enlarging.

The memorial for Scott and his four men at 750 feet.

It's a little steep.

Blurry picture but it shows the small area on top.

Scott and his crew

What an awesome moment! Winter Bay Quarters is completely iced in now.

Heading down.

The sunset that doesn't quit!

A Quiet Sunday.

Due to the weather, Sunday turned out to be pretty quiet. Several of us had planned a hike but it was way too windy. I don't mind the cold or snow for hiking but the wind can make it dangerous if there is any climbing involved. Saturday night was another movie night at the Coffee House Theater with the classic movie "Planes, Train, and Automobiles."

It was really blowing on Saturday with the windchill at -49 degrees.

Fun movie on Saturday night.

 Sunday morning I went to the gym and for a weight workout then it was time for brunch. After that it was laundry and room cleaning. Real exciting stuff here. I also cut my hair and trimmed my beard. Most guys here either let their beard and hair all grow out with no shaving or you shave your head and trim your beard. My hair had been getting really scraggly looking as it grew around my bald spot. I got tired of it and my long beard. I brought my hair trimmer so cut it all off and trimmed my beard. Yesterday at dinner the station manager joined me at my table. Another person joined us and asked him when the next igloo building trip was because she had missed it. The station manager who was that trip leader said he didn't know because look what happened to Mike - he went and built an igloo and all his hair fell out!

I was asked why there are no more planes flying in. It is too cold now for a plane to land, sit on the ground and take off safely. Plus the wind is more erratic now. The conditions can and do change rapidly.

There are a few interesting things I have noticed. No one is sick anymore since there are no new germs being introduced. There are no coughs or sniffles. I also enjoy not seeing cellphones. It is actually pretty strange not seeing people talking or texting on their cellphone. It is really very pleasant. Plus the typical plastic water bottle is banned here. Everyone has reusable plastic bottles. That's nice too. There are plentiful filling stations and the water quality is excellent.

Three new items at the store. A Kiwi beer.

A treat here.

Excellent chips. I felt like I was in Walmart!

I would be ashamed if the old Antarctic explorers saw me now.

No quarters required plus free soap.

The lounge on my floor.

Nice view from the lounge. You can see Scott's Discovery hut in the upper right window pane.

My desk.

I am writing a book about my cross country bike trip with my daughter Jocelyn from 2011. I downloaded this cool word processor called Darkroom. As you write there are no distractions for spelling check or punctuation. You just type away then transfer to Word. I really like the green on black. All my pictures are foldered into each day for easy story reference.

I also have printed the daily journal updates to crazyguyonabike.com for reference.

 

More sunsets, questions and ice

A Saturday afternoon 1pm update (Friday 8pm in Florida)
It's frightful outside!

Weather

Currently On Station

-28°C|-18.4°F Temperature -45.5°C|-49.9°F Wind Chill

Skies: Overcast Visibility (miles): 1/4 in snow and blowing snow Winds (knots): ENE @ 14 gust 38

I have received more questions through email.

What money does Scott Base take?

The Kiwi's take American and New Zealand dollars also credit cards. I used some of my Kiwi dollars when I was there for St. Patrick's Day. At today's rate $1 = 1.22 NZ. There is also a no-fee ATM here at McMurdo.

There were a few question about my Observation Hill hike.

Can the weather change quickly?

Yes, and it does. Before a hike you are required to check out at the firehouse. They look at the weather and will give you a go or no go. You are also given a radio.

Was I alone?

Yes, Some of  the hiking trails require 2 people. This actually should have been a 2 person hike. 

Why was the nuclear power plant removed?

A shield water seepage into insulation around the reactor pressure vessel and primary coolant piping made stress corrosion cracking of the surfaces of the pressure vessel a possibility. Due to the high cost of performing these inspections it was decided to terminate nuclear operations after 10 years.

When I come in from the gym I rinse out my hat and hang it on the window to drip dry. I guess the window frame is cold. By the way, the dorm on the other side is closed for the winter.

Another surprise from the store!

I never tire of the sunsets. They occur around 8pm now with sunrise around 8am.

Steam coming off the water.

The bay is almost iced over now. This bay is also called  "McMurdo's Winter Quarters Bay" by the early expeditions of Scott and Shackleton as the ships were iced in here.

It is also the world's southernmost seaport.

A survival hut. There are several placed around the area. They are called Apples and Tomatoes.

Looking west at Cape Crozier.

A few weeks ago the sound was all open. Now lots of ice.

Don't step too close! You would be unlucky to survive this fall. Although I don't think you would last too long in the cold water.

Winter setting in.

The next day. Another beauty.

It's my Saturday the 24th - Friday in the states. I hope to go on another hike with a few others tomorrow but the weather is not looking too good. It was beautiful yesterday and was above 0 degrees for once. Overnight the snow came in heavy and it is still snowing and down to -24.1degrees. Oh well.


Last night I went to the Coffee House theater and met with a group of people to watch the tv show The Big Bang Theory. I was first introduced to the show at my sister's house in San Diego after the bike trip. One of the girls here have all seasons on a hard drive so I will be joining the group. It is a fun show especially with a large group. We all bring wine.

Sunset from last night with Vince's Cross. Scott's Discovery Hut is below the cross and to the right.

This morning from my work door. Yesterday it was above 0 and today -24.