Lake Vanda, looking to the west over the lake
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My tent, which is to the right
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Greetings all...I am back at Lake Hoare, my home away from home again after spending a couple of days back in McMurdo. Nice to be back in the valley, since it is such a wonderful spot. On Saturday I was treated to the full grandeur the valleys have to offer. I had to fly with a couple other folks around to 8 of the meteorological stations. We went to the 5 stations in the morning, stopping for about 20 minutes at each station. The weather was perfect, with temperatures around +5F, which made for some spectacular views of the valley. Flying by helicopter makes it so much easier, plus it provides some magnificent views along the way. In the afternoon we went north to the other three stations, which are located to the north. We flew up over the Asgard Range and dropped back down to the Wright Valley, stopping at Lake Vanda. The picture I have attached is from Lake Vanda, looking to the west over the lake. You can see the meteorological stations, plus the helicopter and the frozen lake. After checking the stations we all walked out on to the ice and peered into the frozen world below. In places the ice was some clear we could not tell if it was ice or water. The only clue that it was ice was tiny little bubbles that were located near the bottom. From Lake Vanda, we cruised to Lake Vida and Brownsworth. The wind at Vida and Vanda was very light, which made it feel like a tropical paradise. The wonderful day was ended with a nice dinner of chicken stew back at Lake Hoare.
Lake Vanda, looking to the west over the lake |
My tent, which is to the right |
The data I download from the data will be used to try to understand the processes occurring in the valley and how they affect the glacier. The data consist of air, soil and ice temperatures, relative humidity, incoming and outgoing solar radiation, wind speed, wind direction and a host of other parameters. Data are collected every 15 minutes for the entire year. Besides the science it is interesting in finding out how cold or windy it gets here in the winter. The maximum wind speed recorded for the year in the valleys, which was measured at 85 mph on the Canada Glacier, occurred less than three weeks ago. The particular event is called a katabatic. Winds come whipping down the valley, blowing sand and dust in its path. It can also blow over tents, which happen to the four people who were in camp at the time. The lowest temperature of occurred at Lake Vida. Today was one to relax and catch up on my personal life. I haven't had a chance to organize my stuff, especially my tent, since I arrived. My tent, which is to the right in the second attached photo, is located on Glacier Heights. I have an incredible view of the Canada Glacier, which is almost spitting distance from my door. After my restless first night I have slept wonderfully in my peaceful environment. No cars, busses, doors, music etc to wake me from my dreams. The only sound was the wind blowing down the valley. This morning was again glorious, but unfortunately the clouds sauntered their way across the sun. Only the second day in two weeks that the sun has been covered by clouds. Since the weather did not deter us from barbecuing Mahi Mahi on the outside grill. On Sunday the camp manager has the day off, so the beakers, which is what the scientists are known down here, get to cook. Cooking on the outside grill just added to the parody this life down here has to offer. Of coarse I had to whip up one of my grandmother's apple pies to top off the pipes. Umm, umm good... This week I will start making measurements on the glaciers. Tomorrow, if the weather is alright, I, accompanied with a guide from McMurdo, will head up to the upper part of the Taylor Glacier. There I will measure the distance from various bamboo stakes, which are drilled into the ice, to the ice surface. The purpose is to determine the change in the surface of the glacier over time. These gives an indication of the effect climate has on the glacier. By the end of the week I will have visited the other five glaciers, Canada, Commonwealth, Howard, Suess and Hughes. I am hoping my luck with the weather holds.
That is the news from the Dry Valleys, where the winds are strong and the temperatures are brisk.
Sincerely,
Thomas