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We are surrounded fast ice (flat, unbroken sea ice attached to the coast). After a long night of backing and ramming to make progress through the fast ice (2 metres thick in some places) we have covered 4 nm in the last 24 hours, but 28 nm of water has passed under the hull (most of it while we were going backwards!) – we are currently backing about 300m before ramming the ice again and progressing between 30 and 50 metres forward each time. This area of fast ice is about 16 nm wide so we are hoping that the ice thins a bit and our progress speeds up. It seems almost impossible to believe this is the same place where the wind was howling and snow falling only days ago. It is still windy in at Mawson (over 30 knots) but out here today is truly magnificent – hardly a breath of wind and the sun is shining. If the outer decks weren’t closed for helicopter operations we could all be outside soaking up some warmth. But the decks are closed because we are making the most of this good weather and have been flying helicopters between here and Mawson since 10:30 this morning. We didn’t sleep in - the late start was due to higher winds this morning. Our slow travel time has not been wasted. The helicopters have flown ashore the ingoing Mawson winterers to commence their changeovers, some science program personnel and a few of the people required to help set up for our refueling, roundtrip and cargo operations. This advance party will be able to do much of the work we would normally do on the day we arrive so this should make things faster and easier for us all when we get there. Station Leader Narelle came out to brief us about Mawson station so that we all stay safe while we are there. We have also flown in all the fresh food and personal baggage and will now start on the frozen food container. Cheers, Nicki, Rob and Peter.
Map
A map showing Australia and Antarctica. The map shows the journey of one voyage that has occured in the season, with each route highlighted in a distinct colour.