As we finished packing the Hagg for our journey west toward Ledingham, Stay, with her soulful black eyes, bounded over, wagging her tail and begging to join. It was hard to say no to her, so we gave in, and she hopped in the vehicle with us. We left Horseshoe Harbour, waving a “hello and goodbye” to the excited summer expeditioners arriving by plane.
The first ice lead we drilled was a promising 1.8 meters thick, great for morale. But Stay, growing restless in the Hagg, soon decided she needed to lead. She bounded ahead, occasionally chasing Adelie penguins or investigating the snow, while the rest of us followed behind. The weather was perfect – sunny and calm – as we made our way across the ice.
After a successful day and visiting every jade ice-berg possible, we pulled the Hagg off at Colbeck Hut. There, the crew celebrated with wine, beer, and tacos, swapping stories of the day’s work and Stay’s adventures. She had become a beloved member of the team, her antics making every moment lighter, whether she was guiding us across the ice or chasing penguins. As we relaxed in the hut, it was clear that Stay was more than just a dog – she was an integral part of our team.
The next day, we set out for another stretch of the journey, but the sea ice had become dangerously thin, forcing us to retreat back home toward Mawson station. Ledingham will have to wait another year.
On the way, we decided to climb ‘Ufs’ Mountain. Stay immediately took the lead, her energy boundless as she bounded up the steep slopes. The climb was tough, but Stay reached the summit first, tail wagging proudly as she surveyed the vast, frozen landscape below. We followed her to the top, taking in the stunning view of the white expanse and Mawson station in the distance.
After a short rest, we made our way back down, satisfied with the adventure. The thin ice had forced us to turn back, but with Stay by our side, the journey was always worth it. As we neared Mawson, it was clear that, despite the challenges, it was a trip we’ll never forget.
Bryce Kennedy, Mawson electrician
