A Sunday hike around Observation Hill.

I have been wanting to climb Observation Hill ever since I got here. The weather finally cooperated but the conditions didn't. I ended up walking around the hill which itself took 3 hours from the firehouse checkout and back. There was a lot of snow covering the hillsides which covered up the path. I actually was more than a little concerned at times (okay I did get scared) when the narrow one foot or less path disappeared. One slip would throw you into a slide with nothing to stop you. The rocky area is all loose volcanic rock that leads to ice then to the ice shelf on the bottom. I don't know how thick the ice is there but I doubt if one would survive the fall as it is fairly steep. I never did see a path to the top and didn't want to risk it. So I circumvented the hill. That was a challenge in itself.

Observation Hill. 700 feet.

The Royal Society mountain range.

There was a nuclear power plant here.

An interesting phenomenon. First came the snow then someone came along, compressing the snow beneath their feet and hardening it. Then the wind came and picked up the loose snow- but the wind came from only one direction, so the loose snow behind the hardened snow was protected.

So cool!

A nice path here.

Covered here.

I'm glad there are markers.

This was a tricky to cross.

If you fall here there is nothing to stop you.

Loose volcanic rock down to the ice then ice shelf.

This was hard. Baby steps. It was best not to look down.

I don't think I will hike this again until the snow is gone. At the bottom is part ice shelf (which makes for a good slide) then water.

Looking straight down.

The beginning of the ice shelf.

The path is a little too narrow.

On the other side is Scott Base.

Getting easier now.

These sunglasses are a must have.

On the way down.

More of the raised footprints. Someone was here a few weeks ago.

Deep in some parts.

On the Big Island of Hawaii people stack volcanic rocks as a memorial to loved ones. So I made one in Antarctica with 3 rocks stacked on top of a base for my mom, dad, and little sister, Susan.

Fog over McMurdo Sound.