Helo Rides and Happenings...

Panorama of Commonwealth Glacier
Review mirror of the A-Star on the way to Wright Valley

I may have jumped the gun in saying that the season is in full swing.  While we witnessed the first runoff of the season at Canada Stream, this is the only flow we have seen so far.  The other streams we have visited look like we may have to wait a bit to see the glacial meltwater.  We still have plenty of work to be done and I will be leaving my hut at F6 to take a helo ride over to Lake Bonney, just up the Taylor Valley.  At Lake Bonney, there are more gauges to prepare for the season.  Getting to the gauging sites is half the fun.  On Wednseday, we took about a twelve mile hike (round trip) around Commonwealth Glacier, pictured in the panorama above.  It was a beautiful day and it was great to follow the glacier all the way to the gauging site.  With that being said, serious caution needs to be taken when traveling close to these glaciers because they can calve at any minute.  We made sure to keep our distance and it was a bit eerie to hear it pop and crack, even though you knew you were a safe distance away.

The National Science Foundation uses two types of helos in Antarctica.  Previously, I had only been in a Bell 212, which accomodates up to 14 people and a pilot.  We use this helo to transport ourselves along with different types of gear we need for the different sites.  This includes gauging equipment, sleep kits, nitrogen tanks, sampling equipment, survival bags, and personal gear.  I will be hopping in a 212 in the next hour or so.  Helo rides are great but safety is very important.  Always wait for the pilot to signal you to approach and never approach from behind.  Body parts and spinning rotors are not a good combination.  Yesterday, we got the chance to ride in an Astar helo.  Think of a Bell 212 as an SUV or truck used to hall heavy gear and personnel.  The Astar is more like a sports car that is more agile and maneuverable, which holds 3 people plus the pilot.  There is a cage on the side which we can easily put our gear in.  This makes for a quick landing and takeoff and is used to transport small parties with limited amounts of gear to research sites around the ice.  On our trip yesterday I got to sit shotgun on the way out to our site and it sure was a trip.  We took off and went about 50 feet off the ground for a short distance and then up up and away over the glacier onwards towards our intended location in the Wright Valley.  It was awesome!!!