It's not often you get the chance to climb to the top of a mountain in Antarctica as part of your job but this is the lot of a Communications Technician here at Mawson Station. In November the Mt Parsons repeater antenna required repairs, so after recruiting some eager assistants (which took no time at all) off we went for an adventure.
It takes about an hour in a Hagg from Station to get out to the base of Mt Parsons. From there it is a steep and tricky climb up loose scree and rocks. Our intrepid crew of Ben (Plumber), Bryce (Electrician), Bridget (Stores Supervisor) and I started off with a spring in our step, looking forward to the great views from the top of the hill. However, it wasn’t long before we were slipping, sliding, puffing away and wondering how long it would actually take to get to the top. Soon we were passing around some heavy loads to share the work (well, my pack was getting handed around anyway) and the rest breaks were abundant. Eventually we came to the top of the first section and popped out onto a saddle from where we could see the top… which was unfortunately further away and yet higher still!
But on we plodded and before long had made it to our destination and were soaking up the view over the ice plateau! You could be forgiven for thinking that we were looking down on a calm layer of clouds but it was the ice plateau shimmering with a cloudy, mystical look. The wind had almost died away but it was still chilly. The repeater provides communications back to the Station for expeditioners who are out in the field and is powered by solar panels and batteries as well as a small wind generator. All of these are held in place by very technical and calibrated heavy rocks as we are not permitted to drill into the rock in the protected environment to hold the equipment in place. Job completed, pictures taken, we steeled our knees for the descent and headed back down.
As good as they all are, these adventures will soon be ending as we celebrate Christmas and the New Year. Before we know it RSV Nuyina will be here and we will be leaving. Whilst Antarctica has an endless supply of amazing sites and experiences, for me it has been the people I have shared the last year with that has been the highlight. Antarctic sights and adventures are not always the thing on your mind here and it’s not always easy to cope with life as a wintering expeditioner. The friends that you make here are what keeps you going when Groundhog Day rolls around for the umpteenth time or you are really missing your loved ones. A quiet chat or a joke at your expense are the things that matter on those days. So here’s to the members of the 77th ANARE team and all that we have shared.
