Journal

Orcas
We spotted these orcas on our flight from the Dry Valleys to McMurdo this morning. Check out the video at the end of this journal.

This morning, I said goodbye to my dive team friends James, Ian, and Shawn. It had been a great four days being with them. It was a privilege being their "dive tender". I was especially grateful for their help bringing my students into their work, literally (check yesterday's journal for details).

This morning, I was picked up by Ryan, the pilot in the A-Star helicopter, who would be taking me back to McMurdo. I will be returning back to this camp (Lake Bonney) in a few days, so I left my tent pitched and gear there. I tied things down real well so the Antarctic winds blowing down the Taylor Valley there won't blow my gear away.

A-Star
This is an A-Star helicopter we used to move the dive gear off of the lake. The A-Star was the helicopter I flew in to get back to McMurdo this morning.

Enjoy the flight scenery I captured from the helicopter headed to McMurdo from the Dry Valleys

Flight scenery
Mountain tops we flew over to get out of Taylor Valley.

Flight scenery
Flight scenery.

Scenery
Scenery

Glacier river
This is a river cutting through a glacier headed to McMurdo Sound.

Glacier meeting McMurdo Sound
Here is the margin between a glacier and the ocean.

Blue water ice
This is a rock outcropping where the glacier and ocean meet. Look closely in the middle and you can see beautiful blue ice.

Check out this short video showing the orcas we spotted just after reaching McMurdo Sound.

On our flight out to the Dry Valleys about a week ago, the Coast Guard IcebreakerAn icebreaker is a special purpose ship or boat designed to move and navigate through ice-covered waters. was spotted at the edge of the ice outside of McMurdo Sound. Here it is now. It has made it into McMurdo, but will make several loops out here breaking more ice so the large supply barge can get in here in a few days. It is so cool watching this monster tear through that thick sea ice. It is reported that Orcas follow in the icebreaker hunting seals along the way.

Icebreaker
The Coast Guard icebreaker cutting a path for the resupply barge to follow. That is Ross Island in the background. Mt. Erebus on left and McMurdo just out of the picture on the right.

Icebreaker
Coast Guard Icebreaker. Within the next day or so, this icebreaker will complete its job, come ashore, and we'll be eating dinner and visiting with the "Coasties" on board.

Details
Author
Kevin Dickerson
Date
Location
McMurdo Station, Antarctica
Expedition
Dry Valleys Ecosystem Study
Weather Summary
Partly cloudy
Temperature
18F
Wind Speed
25mph
Wind Chill
-1F

View Comments

Comments

Thu, 01/17/2019 - 15:11

Mike Penn

Kevin, I'm jealous that you get to see open water! How long is the flight from McMurdo to your camp in the Dry Valleys? Will you be there when the cargo ship comes in? I hear that is an experience for the entire community! Your journals are great and my students and I are looking forward to reading more!

Sun, 01/20/2019 - 08:34

Kevin Dickerson

Hi Mike.Every flight we take, either to, or from, McMurdo, we cross the McMurdo Sound. It is mostly sea ice, but as we start to cross the Sound, and get close to the Dry Valleys, we get to the open ocean. We fly right over the edge of the sea ice for about 10 minutes. That is where we really see the life. Seals, penguins, and several orcas are usually found in this location. It is super cool when our pilot will hover near the orcas for a few minutes for us. I think the whales know they are being watched and like to put on shows for us.

Tue, 01/22/2019 - 12:16

Ryatt

What are the fastest winds do you think you personally have felt? Do the wind speeds change according to the time of year?

Tue, 01/22/2019 - 22:32

Kevin Dickerson

Hi Ryatt. I would estimate the highest winds I've experienced would be around 40 miles per hour. Yes, the Katabatic winds are much more severe in the Antarctic winters. Katabatic winds reach well over 100 mph. They are from the cold winds ripping down from the South Pole which is almost 10,000 feet above sea level.

Wed, 01/23/2019 - 05:31

Ryatt

Wow! That is super fast compared to here!

Thu, 01/17/2019 - 08:33

Janet Warburton

I love Orcas and the flight out is spectacular! Thanks for sharing this experience with us.