Congratulations!
Today is your day.
You've completed survival training!
You're off and away!
You have a beanie on your head.
You have feet in your hi-techs.
You can steer yourself
In any direction – Avenza will track your steps.
You're not on your own. You have trip buddies in tow.
And you are the girl who'll help lead them where they need to go.
You'll look up and down valleys. Look 'em over with care.
Some full of blizz you will say, "I don't choose to go there."
It's clearer out there,
in the wide open air.
With your sights on Deep Lake
Adventure awaits, but do be aware.
Out there things can happen
And frequently do
To people less cautious
And focused as you.
And when things start to happen,
Don't worry. Don't stew.
Be Alert, not Alarmed.
Your field manual will guide you through.
Oh, the places you'll go! (In the Vestfold Hills)
A weekend to Brookes!
Via land or sea ice
En route to Lied Bluff
You’ll soar to great heights.
Or perhaps, Watts Hut is more your space?
Hike to the Sorsdal, watch it move at a glacial pace
At Lake Dhruzby, in the polar night,
Auroras soar above, setting the sky alight.
And when the sea ice opens
Our FTO will saunter out, drill in hand
To test our new sea ice highway
No more crossing overland!
I'm sorry to say so
You’ll find a favourite, it's true
By far Platcha is the best hut
That view, oh my goodness that view!
You can get all hung up
By the wild wooliness of the Plateau.
A walk through the Amphitheatre.
Leaves you in awe from head to chilly toe.
Bandits. A scenic refuge
If north of Whoop Whoop is more your style
Don’t get stuck in a blizz,
You could be eating Fray Bentos for a while!
You'll come to a place where Hagg tracks are snowed over.
If the path out to Dingle Road, hasn’t been smoothed by the dozer.
But its there lies the fun, your windscreen fogs up
The weather is icy, but your people will fill your cup.
A place you could sprain both your elbow and your chin!
Say no more! It’s the North/South portals
By gosh those rocks are grim!
“Don’t get lost don’t get hurt”
That’s the tech SAR motto this year
Red rope ready, prepare to raise
And don’t forget your survival gear!
You can plan all you like
To Trajer Ridge, a group of three
Before an Easter blizz rolls through
And stops you venturing up the scree
Oh, the places you'll go! The Vestfolds are fun!
New routes to be traversed. Your skin warmed by the sun.
And the magical things you’ll see in the Fjords
Long, Ellis, both are stunning.
Their rocky landscapes make you stop to pause.
To pause, and ponder
Some gratitude to boot.
When you explore the Vestfold Hills
By Hagglunds or by foot
Never Alone!
Whether you like it or not,
Except midweek, hiking the rec limits
Where you’ll seek solace quite a lot.
In the Wallows, ele seals you will count
To help your scientist friends, your data will amount
To world class research, all here in our backyard
Be it bergs, fauna or weather, located near or very far.
You'll meet things that scare you right out of your pants.
For you its heights, its not a trip unless you’ve screamed
But your mates push you on to the Summit, you work as a team.
On you will go
When the weather’s not foul.
To face more fears, conquer more challenges
To new experiences you will not cower.
Through the Hills you will hike.
And I know you'll hike far
And work through station woes
Whatever they are!
You'll get mixed up, of course,
As you already know.
You'll get mixed up
With many strange expeditioners as you go.
So be sure when you step.
Step with care and great tact
And remember that surviving Antarctica is
One Great Balancing Act.
Just never forget to be tolerant or humble.
And don’t be harsh on yourself, even if and when you stumble.
And will you succeed?
Yes! You will, indeed!
(98 and ¾ percent guaranteed, deadset, honestly, even if it doesn’t feel like it just yet)
KID, YOU'LL MOVE MOUNTAINS!
So...
Be your name Ben, Mal or Troy, Greenie, Kayne James or Jase
Maybe Alex, Sav, Claude, Cam, Johnno, Adam or Kase…
You're off to great places!
Today is your day!
The Vestfold Hills are awaiting.
Put on your pack... and get on your way!
Based on Dr Seuss’ “Oh The Places You’ll Go!”
Kasey Williams - BoM Technical Officer
