Wild weather and weekend antics
The weather seems to have been “on shuffle” this week with the meteorology gods producing an action-packed day of gale force winds followed by a weekend of seriously good BBQ weather. On the 9th of December the winds reached a maximum of 80 knots (148 km/hr), causing all expeditioners from tradies to scientists to “batten down the hatches”. These winds also made walking between buildings extremely difficult, with some people having to walk in human chains just to avoid blowing away. Needless to say the mess was eerily quiet that day at lunchtime with many people opting to stay put at work with their 2 minute noodles. No one would have been surprised if the guys out on survival training (Glenn, Paul, Luke, Adrian, James and Jeff H) had blown past the station in their airborne bivvy bags.
By Saturday the winds had subsided to a pleasant 15 knots and temperatures soared to a balmy 5 degrees C. Not surprisingly there were over 30 people off station that night exploring the beauty that the Vestfold Hills has to offer. All accommodation in the surrounding area had “no vacancies” with parties choosing to walk, quad and even man-haul over the sea ice to the huts.
Back at station, the remaining expeditioners were treated to an evening of delicious Indian cuisine and Corey B celebrated his 27th birthday.
(Photo: Graph courtesy of R. McInerney, Met Office)
(Photo: Jess Ericson)
(Photo: Jenn McGhee)
(Photo: Jess Ericson)
(Photo: Sarah Payne)
