Allan shares some of his favourite photos, and this week sees the return of the sun and then its disappearance behind clouds and a blizzard! We also check the sea ice and prepare for field operations away from station.

Allan's favourite photos

It has been a pretty quiet week with the blizzard, so to keep it short, here are a few of my favourite photos from around the Station and beyond.

Allan (Mawson SCTO)

A large red building with lights on stands on a rocky landscape. Snow drifts lie against the building's side.
A frozen sea is visible with a very large iceberg in the distance. Three people can just be made out in the lower left of frame on the ice
A bridge is seen in the middle of the shot with a large red building in the distance and a dark sky. There are lights on around the building
A picture of the night sky with red, orange, green and blue colours being formed by the Milky Way galaxy and the aurora australis.
A large iceberg is in the centre of the shot on a frozen sea. There are rocky islands on the left and in the distance.

The sun is back! More blizz days, and preparation for a field trip

Following the excitement, frivolity, and calorific excess of mid-winter celebrations, the team were happy to take things a little easier this week. A group of four even managed to head out over Horseshoe Harbour and across Kista Strait to spend a night relaxing in the huts on Béchervaise Island to get even more away from the bustle of station life. Another milestone was also reached for the season, with the sun being seen again for a few minutes. This actually occurs almost a week before the sun is physically above the horizon, due to the power of refraction through the Earth's atmosphere.

While the station got back on with routine duties, our Field Training Officer Dave led a proving trip about 30 km to the west of station to check the sea-ice conditions in preparation for our upcoming deep-field trip to Taylor Glacier. A proving trip ensures that the sea ice is of sufficient thickness and quality to enable safe travel, particularly around glaciers and island areas. Stopping regularly to scan the ice with binoculars and getting out and drilling to check the thickness, we were greatly buoyed by the results. With nothing less than 80 cm of ice throughout the trip, we are now confident that we can proceed on the more extended trip to Taylor Glacier. When the weather allows, of course!

The weather decided, however, that such a trip would have to be delayed a little. Monday saw us wake to gale-force winds and blinding snowfalls. With the station going into red conditions (no outside travel unless necessary, and only travelling in pairs using blizz-lines and radio calls for safety), many took the opportunity to get the paperwork done or help with ongoing renovations in the living quarters. A few still had to head outside occasionally to ensure snow did not build up in the power house or science buildings, as well as still pumping water from our glacial melt bell system for the station.

With the forecast promising an easing of winds and snow, we got on with what preparation we could for the trip to Taylor. Practising the setup of polar dome tents in the upstairs lounge and bar areas, we could be sure they were in good condition and that we knew how to put everything together. Much easier to practice in the warmth of the red shed than try and work it all out in the wind and cold! We each also prepared our field packs, chose our preferred food (snacks and coffee, of course), and reviewed the trip plan and safety measures to be taken.

Cat (Mawson SL)

Through a window frosted by ice crystals the sun can be seen just on the horizon. A rocky landscape with some buildings and a tower are blurred in the background.
A man is drilling into the sea-ice with a long drill shaft. He is standing in front of a blue Hägglunds vehicle. There is a large iceberg in the distance and the sun is just below the horizon
Two men are standing in the cupola of a blue Hägglunds vehicle looking through binoculars into the distance
A man is in front of a blue Hägglunds vehicle drilling into the sea-ice. Ice cliffs rise in the distance
The lights of a vehicle can be seen moving over a frozen harbour towards a number of buildings built on a rocky, snow covered landscape.
A very close-up picture of ice crystals on a glass window.
Two men are giving thumbs-up next to a dome tent that has been setup inside in a bar area. There is a darts board and video screen in the background and many photos over the walls
Three men are around a dome tent that has been put up inside in a lounge area. There is a pool table in the background
An green aurora is visible in a bright night sky over a large red building. There is a snow drift against an older building in the front left of frame and a satellite dome to the lower right of frame.

A Trip to the workshop through the blizz

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