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| Devon's chilly, but having a great time. |
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Devon's Antarctica Adventures
Journal Entry 4
Read Part 3 of Devon's Adventure
Read Part 2 of Devon's Adventure
Read Part 1 of Devon's Adventure
By Devon, 19
I'm now stationed in a field camp for the first time. It's called "New Harbor" and it's in a place called "Dry Valleys"–an area in Antarctica that's known for its rocks. This place is absolutely beautiful with glaciers and mountains everywhere. I'm living with a diving team in a beach-side cabin that has an awesome view of Mount Erebus across the harbor. How great is that? Located on Ross Island, Mount Erebus is the world's southernmost active volcano–12,444 feet high!
Nanook of the North it's Not!
This camp is much different from what I had expected. Before now, I've only seen pictures of tiny camps where people live off of dehydrated food with only fire to keep warm. Oh, how I was wrong!
At New Harbor, we have two heaters in the living cabin alone! All of the buildings we work and live in have electricity. We even have a full kitchen (but not running water), and we have the Internet (although it's very slow). We also have A LOT of food! We've got everything–if we just want to munch on something or have a full meal of steak, salmon, or spaghetti, it's here for us. We are having a blast!
Lots to Do and Learn
I love being out here! There's never a dull moment on the ice. I get to drive the snow machines and the six-wheeler daily. My jobs at New Harbor vary: sometimes I stay in the cabin and listen to the radio to call if there is an emergency, or to make sure we get messages from the main station. Sometimes I go out to help the divers (making sure they are safe and warm). I also help clean the cabin, cook, wash dishes, chip ice for water, and whatever else needs to be done.
While here in New Harbor, I've learned a great number of interesting things. Here's my favorite new bit of knowledge: during the course of one day, you could make a sundial, marking every hour by its shadow. At the end of the 24-hour period, you could locate north by finding the lowest shadow. That just amazes me! I also learned that in the skies over Antarctica, the sun makes a vertical figure eight at noon over a series of about two weeks. You learn something new everyday.
Diver Down, Devon Up
We're still at the beginning of the season so this is the first time the dive team has been out this "summer." Some of the dive team members go into the nearby water to collect specimens of single-celled organisms and to see the layout of the water under the ice. I had the chance to watch them set up camp: after their equipment was sent in on helicopters, they blasted holes into the ice using dynamite and drills.
The scientific research being performed by this diving team involves two divers going to collect the Foraminifera (one-celled organisms). The lead scientist conducts his research on the samples collected by the divers. I get to be part of both ends of the research–some days I'm in the field and other days I'm in the lab. I like both just as much; even though the lab is warmer, I get to see seals and watch the divers through the underwater camera when I'm out in the field.
Where to Next?
My next destination is the South Pole (but first I'm heading back to McMurdo Sound for my first shower in two weeks!).
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