The Standard Operating Procedures of an Antarctic station indicate that once the new teams commence on station we are to ensure all Emergency Response Teams are operational before we can proceed out into the field or with any high-risk work. Makes sense – we need to be able to respond quickly in any way necessary should something go awry.
So that was our aim over the past week, because the priority of many is to be able to get out and about into the field and experience the great green sponge that is Macca. We successfully weathered the requirements with many drills, and potentially one too many traumatic briefs on Avian Influenza or tsunami and earthquake response. We are now well and truly prepared for the onslaught of the four horsemen of the apocalypse!
With the hard work done, a long weekend was in the offing! Although confined to station (we are yet to receive our field training) it was fantastic to see people taking the opportunity of good weather (it’s all relative here) to be out and about, travelling to the ends of our extended station limits – whether it be to the east coast, west coast or North Head – or a combination of all.
Many tried out their cameras, some for the first time, with varying levels of success, although it’s hard to take a bad photograph in such a picturesque place, always in the shadow of the plateau and walking amongst wildlife. In particular are the elephant seals, who have an uncanny ability to look like a boulder that has sprouted flippers. Unless paying attention while walking, one can certainly stumble accidently over a sleeping seal, with both of us ending up equally surprised and disconcerted by the proximity.
The midwinter photo session was a key highlight of the weekend with the good weather (in amongst snow flurries) allowing for a time for us to gather and record our presence in some key locations around station. I've included a preview or two. Stay tuned for our midwinter greeting next week.
Until then. Bec, SL