"Summer trades team is inbound to Mawson station from Hobart"
VLV MAWSON, VLV MAWSON
"Summer trades team is inbound to Mawson station from Hobart."
As we depart Hobart Airport on Snowbird 1, five summer trades team specialists are on an intra-continental journey through the Australian Antarctic stations, to arrive at 'home' - Mawson station.
With a smooth, 4.5 hr flight from Hobart Airport to Wilkins runway, Antarctica, we arrive at Wilkins Aerodrome to see the Casey wintering expeditioner team ready to depart for home. After some short hellos and conversations it was time to board the Terra Bus to continue our travels on to Casey station, with a short stop to get some photos in front of the Antarctic Circle sign.
Arriving at Casey, we see the sights and sounds of station, and two nights later we are on the move again. Waiting for a 'go-no-go' again, we are a 'go' for a flight from Casey. There's a drastic scramble to load the Haggs for our short trip to the Casey skiway where the Canadian Basler awaits us.
We are loaded on the Basler with our bags and embark on a 4.5 hr trip to Whoop Whoop runway at Davis. Four and a half hours later, and another incredible flight, the Ken Borek team landed the Basler, with the assumption that the Mawson summer team would be staying at Davis station for a few days because of inclement weather conditions.
After disembarking we are told to be ready to jump straight onto the Twin Otter for what is a very rare occurrence - a straight-through flight.
After 20 mins on the ground at Whoop Whoop, we are in the Twin Otter, propellers roaring into action ready for take off. No sooner had we landed, we are dancing the airwaves in a smaller aircraft headed for Mawson.
After 2.5 hours of beautiful Twin Otter magic across Antarctica, the Masson Ranges come into view, with a very steep descent to Rumdoodle runway. We arrive with the smoothest of landings on the ice of the plateau.
A quick offload, and a greeting of laughter and excitement at Rumdoodle runway, is one memory that will stay with me for a very long time.
The Haggs are loaded with our bags, and off we traverse. One hour later we arrive at the beautiful Mawson station.
After seeing Hobart Airport, Wilkins runway, Casey station, Casey skiway, Whoop Whoop, Davis station, and Rumdoodle runway, we are all very relieved to get to Mawson.
I would like to thank all of the 78th ANARE Mawson wintering team for the most exciting and warmest of welcomes to station; one that we could have only imagined, making us feel welcomed from the get-go.
It has been an absolute privilege to meet everyone here and let the awesome time we are having together continue right back to Hobart.
Stuart Gallwey, Carpenter
