17 November 2009 Becker Point Drilling Challenges

Working out on the McMurdo Ice Shelf is just that—WORK!! All of our equipment had to be man hauled on sledges—a banana sled and a Siglin—to locations of over 2 miles from our camp…one way. And, while the Siglin can haul hundreds of pounds because it’s longer (well over 6 feet) and wider, it cannot go over steep ice hummocks very well as it is flexible, and the heavy weight folds it in the middle when you’re trying to pull it up steep ice. Because the banana sled is sturdier—made out of a fiberglass material—it can be man hauled up over the hummocks but needs someone behind it to make sure it has a bit of help up and over. Unfortunately, it is shorter and narrower, so we can’t fit as much in it. (But, I fit!! Stacy and David "hauled” me back to the helo drop site when we were out at Bratina. Be looking for the video!! What a rip!! Rough ride but a RIP!!)

How much stuff did we haul around?? HUNDREDS of pounds worth—every day!! One SCINI in her case alone is about 90 pounds!!

Carrying around 2 jiffy drills with many 5 inch and 8 inch drill bits and SCINI’s tether spool add a tremendous amount of weight. You have no idea all the equipment that must go with us on every dive.

The ice in this area was very thick and very difficult to deal with; drilling was not easy and most holes required at least 6 drill bits. (SCINI’s dive hole requires 8 inch drill bits and the navigation holes require 5 inch holes.) Part of the problem was that we hit a fresh water layer above the sea ice, so when that water would hit the ice below, it would immediately turn to a heavy slush, and if you didn’t take the time to clear the hole—which was a strenuous pain in every body part—the drill bits would screw in. Once that happens, you have to move quickly to get them out or they will freeze in. And we were talking up to 12 feet or more of thickly packed, slush filled flights!! Holy Moley!!

That's David, me and Isabelle...and if you added Francois who is taking the picture...and then put us all on the ice head to toe, head to toe...we would not be as long as that drill bit!

This was one tough field experience not due so much to the conditions—horribly windy!!--but due to the very difficult ice that we had to get through to put SCINI in the water.

Needless to say, I am stronger than when I started here, and I love the Antarctica Field Camp Weight Loss Plan!! Eat chocolate, Bumper Bars, whatever the heck you want and STILL lose weight!!! I ran out of clothes to tuck in to help keep my pants up! Bummer, huh?? LOL!!

And if there are any ice fishermen out there, I can certainly run a Jiffy drill to drill you a nice fishing hole!!