As I sit here writing my Station News at the end of February with only four weeks left until the RSV Nuyina picks us summerers up, it’s hard not to reflect on the season that almost didn’t happen (due to sea ice break up nearly halting resupply) as well as the journey that lead up to getting here.
When I first heard that my career in carpentry could somehow get me to Antarctica, I was shocked. Sitting in Wollongbar TAFE Northern NSW as a third year apprentice, I immediately looked up “Australian Antarctic Division” and followed them on social media. Scrolling through previous posts, I fell in love with the idea of someday working on the icy continent.
As time rolled on and I progressed through all the stages of the application process, I was stoked to have gotten as far as I had. Then I received a call as I worked on a client's house that had a quarter of its roof pulled off and a patio extension yet to be started.
“Hey mate are you still keen on this season … Davis Station … can you be in Hobart in three weeks?” is all that really soaked in through the shock from the phone call.
Those few weeks leading up to departure for Hobart were chaotic, but I’m sure all expeditioners would agree that the stress is all worth it in the end.
The past five months here at Davis research station really are quite hard to sum up with so many highlights, but I will name a few.
Staying onboard the Nuyina for 35 days and travelling 4166 NM while witnessing the ship's icebreaking trials, was unreal. Cruising through ice up to 1.7 metres thick like it was nothing. Doing all sorts of manoeuvres, even heading into the ice backwards. The wildlife that constantly popped up behind us in our trail through the ice was extraordinary. Adélie penguins, emperor penguins, orcas, elephant seals, weddell seals, the lot. Seeing all of these animals for the first time in the wild.
Having the German Icebreaker RV Polarstern arrive to deploy a science team into the Vestfold Hills for 19 days allowed us the opportunity to go aboard for a visit. Heading out in IRBs to the ship, we received a very warm welcome, as well as a scenic tour around the 42-year-old ship that felt like a museum packed with history and character.
Hiking through the Vestfold Hills, at times exhausting and never ending, is well worth the pain when you reach a historic hut or a scenic lookout point. My favourite of these hikes would have been a 70 km+ four day return trip to Platcha hut via Brooke’s hut. Getting up onto the glacier to have whiskey and watch the sunset really was one of those pinch yourself moments.
Last but not least, finally getting my first ‘shang’ in darts after countless games nearly called for large enough celebration to breakout the station booze.
Marcus Dowling (Scissors)
Davis Summer Carpenter
