Thursday, October 25, 2007

Human Snowshovel

Several have asked, and I'm sure all are wondering: "how cold is it?" It varies. Today, for example, it was a balmy +10F(-12C) with no wind chill. I'm not being sarcastic--if you're in the sun and actively shoveling snow, that's warm enough to take off your huge red parka. Yet cold enough that after a while, your fingers--beginning with the pinkies--begin to ache. (Tip: switch to a new, dry set of gloves at lunchtime.) It also cleared up for the first time today, revealing beautiful mountain ranges out beyond the ice shelf.

Generally, it's been a lot colder. Yesterday bottomed out at -9F/-23C, wind chill -36F/-38C. And I assure you, it's the wind chill number that counts: if you have exposed skin or a draft in your ECW (extreme cold weather gear), you'll know instantly.

Pepe saying "Hi friends! Every time you check my blog, I get a little bit warmer!":

Our current shoveling site is near the helo pad, so we get to witness many takeoffs and landings throughout the day. This one is silhouetted against Observation Hill:
Mountain ranges plus sea ice / sea ice runway:
Mount Erebus, the local volcano (with a wisp of smoke coming out the top), and fuel storage in the foreground (how's that for juxtaposition?):

ciao, pepe

1 comment:

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