Claire of the Antarctic

Having survived the mini break I discovered we had some new visitors on base, before the JCR arrived!

… for which we were terribly grateful during descent!

Hurrah!

Ashley & Clive forging the way ahead just before we cross a snow bridge!

In the caboose with live music on a Friday night!

Ashley & I heading uphill with the laden skidoo complete with trailer leaving Rothera in the distance.

I cannot believe how quickly time has flown since I arrived at Rothera. Upon our second night of arriving to Antarctica we found ourselves on the snow and ice high above base learning camping skills for the field. Firstly one has to dig the snow foundations for the pyramid tent, digging snow is actually surprisingly hard work. Following that we had erect the tent, which is also no mean feat.

Inside the pyramid tent was surprisingly spacious and Ashley & I set to swiftly in creating a homely environment; our main priority – food. We created a delightful five course meal from man-food boxes, menu to follow.

Appetiser: Cheese & onion crisps

Starter: Minestrone soup

Main: Pasta carbonara

Palate cleanser: Orange granita

Dessert: Biscuits pink crumble with custard

The next morning we were the first to break camp before we started our ice-skills training. Thereafter followed several hours of flinging ourselves down icy inclines in various fashions, seated, lying down feet first, lying down head first and finally lying down on one’s back head first! I can assure the safety conscious amongst my readers we were suitably kitted out for such activities!

Our ice skills have since been furthered honed under the expert tuition of Clive Roberts, our Mounaineering guide, and we have now learnt to ice-climb. I am rather a liability as far as this is concerned as it requires one to be able to accurately place an ice-axe in the ice, rather than slicing the safety rope. As anyone who has seen me with a hammer will know, I find this rather challenging!

Following our first weeks work we took advantage of a free Saturday morning such that we could escape up the hill to Vals, our local skiing area for a mini-break in the Caboose.

The Caboose is effectively a portakabin on skis which can be transformed into a remarkably comfortable sleeping area, and so having finished Friday evening supper we headed up the hill on skidoo complete with trailer loaded to the hilt with climbing and skiing equipment.

It is so light here that we had not realised it was quite so late when we finished our runs on the slopes, and so it was not until 11pm we sat inside the little hut with provisions and entertainment from Clive and his banjo.

The following morning we roped up and headed across the crevasse fields up to the Stork Ridge, the highest local peaks. It was a great opportunity to put into practice our newly acquired skills. The weather was perfect and we had a delightful rest on the summit from where we could look down on base.

It is easy to forget sometimes quite how dangerous our local environs are, although we were swiftly reminded of this during our descent; Adam was leading at the front and suddenly dropped down into the snow to his waist, it was no longer crevasse rescue practice but the actual thing. Fortunately the vast amount of metal works on Adam’s harness prevented him falling further down, and between Clive, Ashley and myself we managed to haul him out. However, retrieving the lost team member is only half the battle as we than had to find a new route down. It was almost like mine-sweeping when one does not know whether the next step will be safe or not.

I am glad to say we all returned to base safely and with perhaps a greater understanding of the importance of the skills we have been amassing of late. I must say I am already looking forward to my next jaunt up to the hills, although I may be day dreaming slightly less in future as I cross the crevasses!