November 2, 2005

Today was a real adventure for me, as I was assigned to go into town using a snow mobile to get additional supplies. . It is about 30 km away and takes about 45 minutes. I was carrying a small trailer behind me to carry the food. I traveled for the most part on a small but well identifiable snow road that is used by resupply tanker trucks that head for the Dry Valleys that are west of us. BTW, protocol dictates that people always travel in at least pairs and always take along a supply bag that includes sleeping equipment, stove, food, and water for three days as well as saws for making an emergency structure if I get trapped in a sudden storm. I took a snow road that is relatively flat and an easy ride. The view heading to town was amazing, the road takes me speeding toward Ross Island. This island is a relatively new land feature, it was formed within the last few million years by volcanic activity. Therefore, the rocks are black and against the white snow and glaciers, making it almost like a black and white photo. As I drove in, I was able to look to my left and see the extinct volcano Mt Byrd, while at the center of my view is the 3,800 meter high active volcano Mt Erebus with puffs of smoke billowing from it and to the its right and in the far distance is Mt. Terror. Far over to my right is McMurdo, which is impossible to make out until near the end of the trip, but I can tell where it is as it is right next to a small but distinct little extinct volcanic cone just to it right. The small snow road makes a direct line to Ross Island and intersects with the main snow road (still all on the sea ice, mind you) that is like an interstate highway. This road is at least three lanes across, with traffic passing me every couple on minutes as they head out for their expeditions or work. This road parallels the island and passes within a kilometer or so of the sea ice airport. On this morning there were three Hercules transport planes as well as huge C-17 transport (this is the one I came in on) parked there. With the final turn toward the town, I felt like I was on a victory march, as the snow road widens into an expansive boulevard being at least 4 lanes wide. I drove past the staging areas on the sea ice for other expeditions with an array of various vehicles, sleds, trailers and even a large orange globe shaped building that was at least three stories high. At the end of the boulevard was a snow mobile parking area that we stopped and then, through good fortune, was able to hail a McMurdo taxi (a red van with over sized tires). Heck, it felt like I was back in the city, hailing cabs. It was good to get a hot shower after almost two weeks, but after a few hours at the station, I longed to get back “home” to the field camp and look around at my little temporary home surrounded by the most incredible vista I had ever seen, having the most amazing adventure I have ever had, and doing science that is cutting edge. It was also good to curl up in my sleeping bag, put my little eye patch on and dream sweet dreams.