Farewell to Lake Hoare

from Thomas Nylen, 30th January 2000

Dear All,

Hard to believe that there are only a few hours left of my season at Lake Hoare before the helicopter comes to takes me back to McMurdo. I have had a wonderful time during my three and half month stint in the Dry Valleys. My view looking out to the Canada Glacier, with its spectacular terminus looming over my tent will be sorely missed, along with its nightly moans and groans. This place is very peaceful. and I have not missed the constant drone of the big city. I have never slept better than I have here. This past month has been quite enjoyable and productive with my other team members. Martyn, who is from Wales, has kept us rolling with his wit and charm. It was also great to have the familiar faces of Andrew and Robin down from Portland. We all had a blast dancing around on the glaciers, collecting samples and making measurements. I have attached a photo of the Glacier Team on the 'Canada Glacier beach'.

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Thomas, Andrew, Robin & Martyn
(Click on image for larger version)

Though I will be missing the blissful atmosphere of Lake Hoare, I will be looking forward to arriving in Christchurch. The sun has been up for three and a half months now, and a spot of darkness graced with the presence of the moon will be a wonderful sight for my eyes. I have been told the experience of walking off the plane in Christchurch after a long season in Antarctica, especially at night, is amazing. My nose will be especially shocked by the joyful odors emanating from the vegetation in Christchurch.I haven't seen a lick of vegetation in months and I plan to spend several hours rolling around in the GREEN grasses and planting my nose into the depths of every blooming flower in the Christchurch Botanical Gardens. Ah, I can smell the grasses and flowers now. If the night skies are clear I will lie down and spend hours gazing up at the stars and the moon. Yes, the simple pleasures in life I look forward to seeing in two days.

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Airdevonsix Icefalls from close distance
(Click on image for larger version)

On Thursday I will meet Janet in Christchurch and we will be spending the month traveling around the south island of New Zealand. We are planning to head to the northern end of the island, to do some sea kayaking and power lounging along the beaches of Abel Tasman National Park. My feet are looking forward, after months of being trapped in warm socks and boots, to being graced by the deep blue waters of the Pacific Ocean. Ahhhh! From there will head south and do some backpacking in the Kiwi Alps (up to Cascade Saddle near Mt Aspiring for those familiar with the area). After four or five days tramping around the bush, we may, if time and weather permits, to head on down south to the Fjordslands for another backpacking trip.

I will be back in Portland at the end of February and will be looking forward to catching up with you all then. Hope the skies are clear and the stars are bright where every you are. I leave you with one last shot, which is my favorite spot in the dry valleys. It is a picture of the Airdevonsix Icefalls, located at the head of the Wright Valley.

cheers...Thomas

p.s. Please send email to my PSU account: bjtn@odin.cc.pdx.edu. I will not be able to access my McMurdo account after I leave Antarctica.