Diving in Antrctica 'Without getting wet'

Now that there are only 22 people on base we all try and help others out with jobs if more people are required. As science and diving is one of the most important things which still carries on through the winter it has to be done safety and back up procedures need to be in place. As the diving done here is for a business then it is classed as commercial diving so carries even more legislation. One of those being the need to have the facilities of a Re-compression chamber. In the case of a diver having a rapid uncontrolled ascent they would have to be put into the chamber to be treated for De-compression sickness or 'the bends'. The chamber can also be used for other illnesses including Oxygen toxicity and Helium toxicity.
The chamber here at Rothera is a twin lock chamber, which means there are two parts to the chamber enabling people to pass through the primary pressure lock into the main chamber without having to de-pressurise the whole chamber

As an advanced first aider and diver i had the opportunity to get trained in the use of the chamber and gain a PADI qualification from our base dive officer. Today i had my first dive in the chamber. I was sent down to a depth of 18 metres and whilst at that depth went through a thorough examination by the base doctor who was also in the chamber with me. Unfortunately you can't take any cameras, watches, jewellery or anything magnetic and clothing must be pure cotton as there is a very large risk of fire in the oxygen enriched atmosphere. So no photos of me inside.


This is the depth gauge showing the depth of 18 metres. It is quite a funny sensation as you go down and have to constantly equalise the pressure in your air spaces. Every ones voice gets high pitched at depth and it feels like you need to be talking with a slight Irish accent.
I will get the chance to do quite a few more dives in the chamber during the winter for training purposes.

'Winter Trippin'

So through the winter we all get two winter trips. One at the start of the winter and one nearing the end. Each trip lasts for six days and they are a good chance to get off base, see some more of the island out of the normal travel areas and also gain more practise in rope work, climbing and general life out in the field in temperatures of down to -20 degrees Centigrade.

For my winter trip i opted to go skiing and climbing. We were very lucky with the weather and only had one day of lie up. It was just far to windy and the contrast was too poor to drive the Skidoo's in. As there are crevasses all around you need, good contrast to move from the campsite. Above is Roger my Field General Assistant for the week and myself setting up our Pyramid tent.

The tents are heated by the use of Tilly lanterns. These lamps run off paraffin and are very effective at heating the tent and providing bright enough light to read and cook under.

Roger half way up Trident one of many Mountain peaks which we climbed. When climbing we are always linked together via a harness and rope. We both carry a 'rack' on our harness which has things like slings, pulleys and screw gates on. These are essential bits of equipment needed to pull your climbing partner out of a crevasse if the unfortunate happens.

All the Skidoo's had to be covered with specially made tarpaulins so that the engines didn't get filled in by the blowing snow as this can cause a big problem.

On our penultimate day we climbed up Orca, a peak on the way back to base. This was the massive wind scoop which could be found and the base of the peak. Caused by the naturally Northerly blowing winds scouring the snow and ice from around it. The snow can be very abrasive when combined with the power of the wind. The scoop was at least 30 metres deep.

The very top of Orca required us to climb up a very steep piece of loose rock. But is was all worth it when we got to the top. The descent was a lot more fun. Absailing down about 50 metres of sheer rock with a 400 metre drop below off the edge.

Liz and Rob had a three man Pyramid tent in which we all congregated in, on the evenings for a drop of Whisky, Port, Wine and anything alcoholic which was on offer.

The tents lit up by the Tilly lanterns look so magical when the sun goes down.

A snow flake perfectly formed

At the top of Gwendaline. The first mountain that we climbed. As there are no ski lifts here we have to climb the conventional way to the top. We has ski's with bindings which release at the heel and pivot on the toe. Then we fit skins to the bottom of the ski's. These skins allow you to slide forward in the snow but they then grip so you can essentially slide forward up the mountain without sliding backwards. This is actually a sport called 'Ski Mountaineering'
It took us about four hours to get to the top and then about half an hour to ski down in the most amazing powder. For a minute i thought i was back at a ski resort in Europe!

Drying our sweaty wet socks at the end of the day

Admiring one of the spectacular views. This one off the top of Orca

One of the awesome sunsets over the campsite. This was at about 6pm as the sun disappears behind the peaks of Trident

Climbing at Stork Middle

Saturday and Liz, Steve and myself ice climbed up Stork Middle. We were blessed with an amazing clear day so made the most of it.

Our footsteps as we headed from the summit back down towards Stork bowl

The amazing view from the top of Stork Middle over to Stork North which i climbed last Sunday.

If you follow the ridge to the very end you'll be at the top of Stork North.

One of the crevasses which we stepped over. I fell down my first crevasse on Saturday. Only down to my knee but it made my heart beat a little faster for a second.

Our picnic at the top.

Steve and myself at the summit

Extreme!

Sunday and Cyril's first day off

Sunday and Myself, Stephen and Cyril our winter chef headed up to Vals for the day.
It was Cyril's first full day off since arriving on base so he was keen to get of base even just for a few hours. We had a really good day skiing and i managed to practise my jumping skills as some of the Morrison's guys had built some jumps before they left.

Climbing 'North Stork'

Last Saturday Myself, Rob and Mark went climbing on North Stork.
Myself wrapped up warm, ready for the day ahead.

Mark, our GA for the day looking at his map! He did this quite a lot! Mark is a very good GA and he's also very thorough.

Rob, Mark and myself at the summit of North Stork. One of many local and very good peaks to climb. We set of at 8am and managed to reach the summit at 2.30pm. We just happened to choose the coldest day for a long while. Climbing in the shade and at a temperature of -10 it was a bit chilly to say the least.

But it was well worth it. This is the view at the summit. In the background is McCallums pass which is the main route to the rest of the Island. And the route i will be taking on a Skidoo next week when i will go out on my winter trip.

Rob and Mark having a well deserved cup of tea and a bite of a frozen Mars bar after the assent.

After a warm up and photo opportunity we headed across Stork ridge towards Stork bowl. We were linked together at all times just in case one of us were to slip or fall down a crevasse.

'Just the 22 of us'

Well the JCR left about two weeks ago now so its just 22 of us now until the Dash 7 comes back in October. We all waved off the crew and the Morrison's staff who have been with us all summer building the new Bransfield House. Unfortunately they could not complete so will be back later in the year to finish the final touches.
Kenny with a flair. I've not seen him this happy for such a long time! Think he was into Pyrotechnics in his younger days!

Skidoo's

Waving goodbye to the Ernest Shackleton

How many Skidoo's can we get in the garage!

An Alpine 3 two stroke engine. Umm interesting!

Before a De-coke above and after below.

With the introduction of 9 newish Skidoos from Halley the last two weeks have been consumed by servicing and repairing these skidoos ready for next years field season where they will spend around four months out in the field with our trusty field general assistants. Lucky really as the weather has turned quite bad recently and we welcome indoor work when it gets too bad. However working outside in -10 with a 40 Knot wind seems very pleasant after two weeks working on these things!!