25 November 2008 Return to Beacon Valley

Journal

What is day to day life like in a deep field camp in Antarctica? I am told by Gareth and Joe that our deep field camp is the most exclusive camp - strictly "A List". The guest list is by invitation only and extremely hard to get on. But, if you are fortunate enough to make the cut, it is the place to be in Antarctica. Very few people visit the Dry Valleys and Beacon Valley is considered the most exotic of the Dry Valleys.An earlier journal showed our primitive facilities, but we do have some comforts of home. There is a generator that we use to recharge batteries and use the computers.

David Marchant (left) and Jackie Hams — I have not adapted to the cold like Dave – I have to wear glove liners and cover my face.

The first sight of the cooking stoves at the camp may shock the readers of this journal. I was taken aback because the pots and pans are not really cleaned. Bacteria do not grow in this cold environment and it is essentially the same as having everything constantly refrigerated. Food will not spoil because it is left out overnight. Dishes are cleaned by wiping them with a damp paper towel.

After spending some time in McMurdo and in Beacon Valley, I will have to say that the camp is far healthier than McMurdo, where people are always coughing and a lot of illness cycles through with visitors from all parts of the world.

Most of the cooking is done by Gareth and Joe, although Andrew has been preparing some recent meals. We usually gather in the cook tent (where Joe and Gareth also sleep) around 8:30 a.m. for breakfast which may consist of oatmeal or leftovers for breakfast. Several mornings we have Dinty Moore beef stew, which is a favorite of Dave's and a camp tradition.

The team walks back to the tent for lunch and then returns to the drilling site until approximately 7 or 8 p.m. Lunch is often crackers and peanut butter, energy bars, chocolate bars and cookies. Some of the meals Joe and Gareth have prepared for dinner are burritos, spaghetti, and chicken patties with gravy and veggies.

Gareth Cooking Dinner — Gareth cooks dinner.

Gareth Cooking — The butter that Gareth is using is kept in the tent all the time. We don’t worry about food spoiling.

This next photo is for Amanda in Mrs. Eubanks's class. Here is a camp photo showing the location of my tent just for you. The drilling site is approximately ½ mile away. I have also provided a photo of my "bunny boot" showing the terrain that I have to hike over. I try to take it slow because people have sprained ankles on the loose material. Dr. Marchant wants the team to wear these boots because they are sturdy and provide ankle protection, although they are a bit heavy. They feel like you have a light ankle weight on all the time.