Pete here and it’s my turn to write ‘this week at Davis’, something I’ve done more than a few times over the years, this being my 10th trip to Antarctica working for the AAD. In total I’ve spent three winters and 11 summers at Davis, Mawson and Casey between 2009 and 2024, and I spent every single day of 2011 right here at Davis.
I thought while I had a captive audience I’d go back over my past seasons and pick out some favourite photos – not an easy task to keep the number down but I'v done my best with only 26. I could have easily provided 126!
Before the photos though I’d like to add a quick reflection on this season and something I’ve never seen – and I’d hate to think how far back you’d have to go in the AAD’s history to beat them – this summer’s water statistics. Davis always has a finite amount of water each season due to our water source, a tarn full of sea water and snow. During summer when the tarn is not frozen we use a desalination plant to produce water and store it for the year ahead. Often extra water comes in on the ship during resupply to supplement the local supply as some summers, the population nears 100 people.
As is often the case Antarctica will be Antarctica – something we call the ‘A factor’ – and this season has been no exception. Back in November, about half way through resupply, the sea ice decided it might break out early. A consequence of this was the prospect that about 20 of us summer personal might not be able to stay, as we had not yet got the supplementary water off the Nuyina. As the next few days played out, the sea ice decided to behave itself and the entire resupply, including water, was completed meaning all the original personal could stay for the summer much to everybody’s relief!
With water having such a role this season, water usage has been front of mind for all of us and this summer Davis used water at a phenomenally low rate. There’s been no need for weekly reminders, no messages going out reminding us to cut back, the most we’ve had is a reminder to keep up the good work every three weeks or so. This is testament to the exceptional people here this season, who simply through doing the right thing for our community, have managed quite easily to break records with our low water usage. A more trustworthy bunch of people you wouldn’t find anywhere and it’s a credit to all here at Davis. Well done I say!
Now for some photo spam from this season and my past seasons at Davis, Casey and Mawson, enjoy.
Pete Hargreaves.
