Flight of the Penguin

This week, I finally got a spot on a coveted "Delta trip" out to another of Scott's huts at Cape Evans. While Cape Evans and McMurdo station are both on Ross Island, an overland route would entail crossing crevasse-riddled snow and glaciers: dangerous indeed. Instead, one can simply drive between the two points over the frozen ocean! That makes for a nice flat drive with opportunities for wildlife sightings.

Pictured below is the rugged "Delta Two" (for two axles)--an articulated vehicle that can be outfitted as a tanker, flatbed, or in this case, bus. The articulated design has an interesting side effect: the human cargo can't communicate with the driver, except by radio! (Yes, I count this towards my goal of utilizing every form of transportation on earth.)

Many Weddell seals were spotted, including one up close. Seals, it seems, are quite lazy when they're out of the water. Then again, it can't be easy living further south than any other mammal--perhaps they've earned their rest.


The hut itself was a lot bigger than the first, and full of many interesting artifacts. It's currently being restored by a small team of kiwis.

Scott's desk, including his stuffed penguin. (This discovery has made me much less self-conscious about my own habit of sleeping with a stuffed seal.)

Rumor has it penguins will frequent our area later in the season. But for now penguin spottings are rare, and the experience is very much built up and coveted. Luckily, we happened upon a flock of five on the return trip, and the experience did not dissappoint.

The clan of Adelies was spotted way off in the distance, but curiosity brought them to within twenty feet. They leisurely waddled up in their adorably awkward way (waddle... waddle... lay on belly and slide... waddle...), and then simply stood around as if we were all waiting at the same bus stop. But the best part was when we finally boarded the Delta and began to drive away. Terrified by the gigantic orange monster, they turned and fled at top speed (waddle!waddle!waddle!), flippers flailing overhead in a manner that was hilariously anthropomorphic.

What a place.
pepe