After eighteen days of voyaging across the Southern Ocean from Hobart - with rough seas, good company, the distraction of remote-control car grand-prix, and way too much good food – the Mawson 76th ANARE team were greeted by the beauty of the ice plateau rising majestically behind the station. The hospitality of the 75th team was unsurpassed, and the first days passed in a flurry of refuelling, resupply, and handover activities. Before we knew it, we were farewelling Bec and her team with the glow of expired flares and orange smoke (a traditional moment for the changeover of seasons).
Walking back across the rock and icy blizz tails (carefully, as many of us were still finding our feet in this new environment), the reality of eight months before we would see any other humans slowly dawned upon the team. However, there was no real chance to dwell on such feelings as we had much work to do before heavy winds were due to hit the station. Quickly ensuring that equipment and containers were secured, the team could finally relax and enjoy the chance to unpack some of our belongings and set up our new rooms – bending them to our personalities and making them our home for the coming winter.
The team enjoyed a welcome rest day on Monday before launching into our various work roles. At the same time, the station entered the Operational Recess period. During this time, which lasts for about a week, the whole team works to ensure that our emergency procedures are established and practised. Once we have these essential safety teams trained and ready, we will be able to move onto Survival and Field Training in preparation for undertaking both scientific and recreational trips into the field on the ice plateau as well as on the sea ice when it returns.
The joy of experiencing this amazing place strikes regularly as we go about our work. The wonderfully cranky Adélie penguins are all around the station, loudly reminding us that we are the interlopers in this land. At the same time, a large family of Weddell seals relax comfortably close by, drawing us out of the warmth of our buildings to get photos at every opportunity.
Mawson ended our first week by introducing the 76th team to the force and power of our first blizzard. With over 70 knots of wind and driving snow roaring through the station, it was with significant trepidation that those of us new to Antarctica left the safety of the buildings to get to work. However, such an experience only adds to my growing wonder and burgeoning love for this place called Mawson which the team and I will call home this year.
Cat (Mawson SL)
