The new team settles in
After wrapping up training in Hobart and spending five weeks aboard the RSV Nuyina, a new team of 40 expeditioners have arrived at Davis research station. The ceremonial station key was handed over on Tuesday November 4th by outgoing Station Leader Nic Bye and his team of 25 who’ve just finished their winter and are heading back to Australia—no doubt dreaming of warm weather and fresh fruit.
Since we arrived we’ve been busy getting to know our new home and practicing the skills we’ll need to keep ourselves safe—search and rescue, incident management, fuel spill response, and figuring out all the switches and gizmos that make Davis tick. We even managed to sneak in a good old-fashioned BBQ. Just like home… except without the flies.
But Antarctica clearly wanted to give us a proper welcome.
On the night of Tuesday 11 November, the winds picked up, and by 5:39 am the next morning, we recorded a gust of 94 knots (174 km/h). That’s now officially the strongest November gust ever recorded at Davis. Sorry 1963...we’ve stolen your crown.
It was the windiest moment here in more than five years, and while we didn’t get close to the all-time Davis record of 111 knots (206 km/h) set in 1972, I think we all agree that 94 knots was more than enthusiastic enough.
And with that, summer at Davis has officially begun. If this is the welcome party, we can’t wait to see what the rest of the season has in store.
Jenny Bonser - Station Leader
