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Davis sea baths

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This week at Davis: 29 June 2012

At 1200 we gradually made our way down to the sea ice in front of the station to take the traditional dip in the Davis Sea Baths.

The 2 metre square baths had been cut into the 1.3 metre thick sea ice and waited invitingly with plenty of attendants regularly skimming the freezing surface ice from the top to keep it clear. The water temperature was measured at a stable minus 2°C, relatively warm compared to the minus 20°C of the air temperature.

One by one we stripped down to our swimming gear and donned the harness to take the plunge despite the hundreds of small hungry copepods that were clustering around the ladder.

Following the dip it was a quick dash to the changing room, a warming schnapps from Mel on the way, dressing as rapidly as cold and wet fingers would allow to cheer the next person on.

Most went in and out without loosing anything except Chris whose GoPro camera ended up at the base of the ladder in a 4 metre deep pool. Luckily we have echinoderm scooping experience on station, which paid off, and soon the camera was rescued from a watery grave. Sadly it had landed face down. We could have had the top photos of the winter!