Devon's chilly, but having a great time.
	What's Devon Talking About? Raytheon Raytheon is the prime support contractor to the National Science Foundation's Antarctic Program. Raytheon Polar Services was formed to specifically meet the needs of the National Science Foundation's Office of Polar Programs. CDC CDC = Christchurch Clothing Distribution Center This is when and where all extreme cold weather clothing is issued and explained. The clothing is provided at no charge as long as it is all returned to the National Science Foundation at the end of the expedition. McMurdo Station McMurdo Station is the main US station in Antarctica. It is a coastal station on the barren low ash and lava volcanic hills at the southern tip of Ross Island, about 2,415 miles south of Christchurch, New Zealand.

Devon's Antarctica Adventures
Journal Entry 2
Read Part 1 of Devon's Adventure

By Devon, 19

The first day in Christchurch, all Raytheon employees (though I am not one, for this project I was considered to be) are required to attend an orientation at the CDC. It was pretty interesting, lots of information about the ice and about how their jobs will work. It was decided that I should introduce myself as "Devon the Girl Scout". Good fun, eh? We were in the orientation for most of the day, and then for about an hour we were issued out ECW (Extreme Cold Weather) gear, lots of socks and stylishly overstuffed clothing. Then we were set free to explore the town. The next day we were all scheduled to take off for the Ice.

Delayed Departure

The flight to the Ice is rather unpredictable. As it turns out, one of the first flights of the season made it, landed, and in the process dug a series of 16-inch deep holes, making it impossible for the second flight to land. Unfortunately, the second flight didn't get the news until they were right on top of McMurdo, but they got some good pictures. Still, they had to return to Christchurch. I am very glad that I was scheduled to be on the third flight. Because the runway had to be mended, all flights were delayed; I got an extra four days in New Zealand!

Side Track

Now of course I had to make the most of my experience, so I did a lot of what there is to do in Christchurch, from watching film and theater, to sightseeing and shopping. One day a group of the Raytheon employees and I also went to the little town of Akaroa. There we did a harbor cruise and saw penguins and other birds, and sheep and a couple of seals. It was so beautiful; the water was just as blue as the sky in some places! While in town we also went to a "world famous" Fish and Chips shop; I have to admit they were pretty good.

In Flight, Finally

Eventually we got notice that flights would begin taking off again. I would again be on the third flight. The first flight took off and a few hours later we took off. Both flights made it without a hitch.

Welcome to McMurdo Station, Antarctica!