Another convoy came to an end on 27 Sept 08. It was fairly uneventful, except for some minor vehicular problems while returning. We met the Russian convoy on the way back. They were going to the Russian shelf. In contrast to us, they had only 2 vehicles and 3 personnel on the convoy team. That is probably because many of their vehicles are out of service. They exchanged greetings and then moved on after 5 min.
This was also a fuel convoy. So the activities were the same as the previous convoy. This time there was no blizzard, nor any wind. These were perfect conditions for working outdoors. The temperature was around -25ºC. I too helped in the decanting operations, climbing all over the oil tankers.
While the decanting operations were going on, Jamwal, Chaubey and I decided to go for a short walk on the frozen ocean, or the fast ice as it is more appropriately called. It was just about 50 meters from where work was going on. On reaching the edge of the ice shelf, we discovered that the drop was too steep. So we were about to go looking for a gentler slope. But on closer examination, we discovered that although the drop to the sea surface was steep, but because of the blizzards, snow had accumulated irregularly all along the shelf edge forming steps. These appeared to be like the 'sastrugis' I described in one of the previous posts. We could easily descend using them as steps. So we went down, half walking, half sliding. On reaching down, we gingerly stepped on the ice. Although there was no possibility of the ocean surface being weak anywhere at this time of the year, we were still apprehensive. In fact the ice was so thick that we could have easily driven a snow mobile on it with no chance of the ice breaking anywhere. Finally we did step on the ocean. That first step was an exhilarating experience as if we had stepped on the moon. Although we had walked all over the lakes of Schirmacher all through the year, but walking on the ocean was something different. After all we were standing at a place where the ocean was 400 meters deep and from where the fast ice extended for 1000 km northwards. This experience is possible only at the poles. No where else in the world does one find frozen seas. These thoughts and many more raced through my mind for the 15 minutes we spent there.
At the edge of the ocean, where it met the ice shelf, huge blocks of ice were lined up. These form due to the tidal activity and the sea swells. Whenever there is high tide, the water beneath the fast ice presses against it causing the ice to break and get thrown up. This is peculiarly seen at the edges. This is also a feature of the epi shelf lakes in Schirmacher. The sea freezes immediately after its surface is broken in this manner.
There was no difference in the surface of the ocean and the ice shelf. They were both miles and miles of featureless icy landscape. But the sea had a less undulating surface. I walked a few meters deeper into the ocean. The steep shelf edge loomed menacingly in front of us. At places, the fast ice had a glassy appearance like water. That made us decide that it is better we go back. We were too apprehensive to stay there longer. So we hurried back. The ascent was easier than the descent. We hurried back up the 'steps' to the ice shelf. My hands were frozen stiff after holding my video camera for 5 min without gloves. Soon, this place will be swarming with penguins. That will be another experience.
Monday, September 29, 2008
The Bane of the Ultraviolet Radiation
We recently received a news article about the ultraviolet radiation in Antarctica. August & September have always been the months when the ozone hole is at its maximum. The article said that this year the area of the ozone hole was a largest ever on record and covered the entire continent and also some parts of Australia and South America. The depth of the ozone hole was also maximum. At places, the ozone had totally disappeared. This maxima was observed on 24 Sept 08. This was disturbing news for all of us, more since the duration of sunlight is increasing rapidly and so are our outdoor activities. During the convoys, the sun shines right on our faces for the entire journey of 16 hours from the station to the ice shelf. It is now advisable to wear UV protective glasses and apply a generous layer of sunscreen lotion on the exposed parts of our bodies, more so the faces. Now a days, the days being still very cold, our faces are covered with balaclava, but still one is tempted to lower ones guard on bright, sunny, windless days. We also tend to remove sunglasses on cloudy days. This is dangerous since UV rays are still present inspite of the clouds.
We still have a long time ahead of us in Antarctica. So it is certainly advisable to take utmost precautions while working outdoors.
We still have a long time ahead of us in Antarctica. So it is certainly advisable to take utmost precautions while working outdoors.
Monday, September 22, 2008
The Saga of the Polar Winters
"In all the world there is no desolation more complete than the polar night. It is a return to the Ice Age- no warmth, no life, no movement. Few men can fight off its effects altogether, and it has driven some men mad." These words, written by Alfred Lansing in his book 'Endurance- Shackleton's Incredible Voyage', sum up the experience of the polar winters.
It has truly been a once in a lifetime experience. One can never fathom the true nature of the polar winter till one has actually experienced it. It is a more a test of mental endurance than physical abilities. The true character of a man is revealed during this period. I feel truly blessed to have got this rare opportunity. Now, as the winter draws to a close and as we welcome spring at Maitri, it is an appropriate time to sum up the experience of the polar winters.
It all began on 15th February 2008, when the summer team sailed back, marking the official beginning of our wintering period. It was somewhat scary for the first timers. We were stepping into the unknown and going to be physically cut off from the world till November, when the flights would resume. Till then the 26 of us had to weather the vagaries of the polar winters with only each other for support. It appeared to be a daunting task. The temperature at that time was a 'pleasant' -10ºC. The lakes had frozen over to a large extent and the days were getting shorter. Most of us were in a sullen mood for the first few days. But soon we got into the groove and joined hands to finish off all the tasks before the polar nights. It was a race against time. The last convoy was completed about 1 week after the onset of the polar night. This was in temperatures below -30°C. Once this was done, we shut shop for the winters. Just the essential day to day activities were being carried out, apart from the routine scientific work.
During the polar nights, all our schedules went haywire. Sleep cycles were ruined, eating habits changed, personal grooming took a back seat and the strain of wintering over in Antarctica was evident. Most of the expedition members gave up shaving and either went bald, or grew terrible locks of hair. All our activities were limited to within the station. Walks were limited to just a few hundred meters around the station, not as much because of the cold as due to lack of energy and a sense of gloom. There was no sunrise, just dawn and dusk. Daylight lasted only 3 hours. Temperature dipped to -34ºC. Even on windless days, outside movement was difficult. The silence and the stillness were unnerving. It was as if time had come to a standstill. Killing time was a daunting task. Sports activities were planned and afternoon mythology serials were shown on TV to boost morale and to prevent friction between the team members.
We were battered by numerous blizzards during the polar nights. They were a huge strain on the life support systems here. The generators needed constant vigil and maintenance, water supply and sewage systems were difficult to maintain, heating systems were ineffective, snow accumulated all over and a lot of restrictions had to be placed. One major bright spot during the depressing polar nights was the mid winter day celebrations, when the Russians visited us. From then on, it was all downhill. The days now started getting brighter. Finally, the sun showed up on 21st July. The length of the days increased rapidly at first, and then tapered off. July and August are traditionally the coldest and the windiest months in Antarctica. It was no different this year. The longest blizzard was in the month of August. It lasted 5 days. The wind speed on 14th August reached 110 knots, which is extremely rare at Maitri. But life was easier because of the ever increasing sunshine.
Now that September is here, the temperatures have increased considerably. Presently, they are in the early -20s and the days are 12 hours long. The convoys have resumed and so have the other outdoor activities. It is now possible to go for long walks if the weather is good. As the news about the next team and our return home filters in, there is cheerfulness and hope all around. But for now, we await the arrival of spring and with it the penguins and the skuas. Joyful days are now round the corner.
It has truly been a once in a lifetime experience. One can never fathom the true nature of the polar winter till one has actually experienced it. It is a more a test of mental endurance than physical abilities. The true character of a man is revealed during this period. I feel truly blessed to have got this rare opportunity. Now, as the winter draws to a close and as we welcome spring at Maitri, it is an appropriate time to sum up the experience of the polar winters.
It all began on 15th February 2008, when the summer team sailed back, marking the official beginning of our wintering period. It was somewhat scary for the first timers. We were stepping into the unknown and going to be physically cut off from the world till November, when the flights would resume. Till then the 26 of us had to weather the vagaries of the polar winters with only each other for support. It appeared to be a daunting task. The temperature at that time was a 'pleasant' -10ºC. The lakes had frozen over to a large extent and the days were getting shorter. Most of us were in a sullen mood for the first few days. But soon we got into the groove and joined hands to finish off all the tasks before the polar nights. It was a race against time. The last convoy was completed about 1 week after the onset of the polar night. This was in temperatures below -30°C. Once this was done, we shut shop for the winters. Just the essential day to day activities were being carried out, apart from the routine scientific work.
During the polar nights, all our schedules went haywire. Sleep cycles were ruined, eating habits changed, personal grooming took a back seat and the strain of wintering over in Antarctica was evident. Most of the expedition members gave up shaving and either went bald, or grew terrible locks of hair. All our activities were limited to within the station. Walks were limited to just a few hundred meters around the station, not as much because of the cold as due to lack of energy and a sense of gloom. There was no sunrise, just dawn and dusk. Daylight lasted only 3 hours. Temperature dipped to -34ºC. Even on windless days, outside movement was difficult. The silence and the stillness were unnerving. It was as if time had come to a standstill. Killing time was a daunting task. Sports activities were planned and afternoon mythology serials were shown on TV to boost morale and to prevent friction between the team members.
We were battered by numerous blizzards during the polar nights. They were a huge strain on the life support systems here. The generators needed constant vigil and maintenance, water supply and sewage systems were difficult to maintain, heating systems were ineffective, snow accumulated all over and a lot of restrictions had to be placed. One major bright spot during the depressing polar nights was the mid winter day celebrations, when the Russians visited us. From then on, it was all downhill. The days now started getting brighter. Finally, the sun showed up on 21st July. The length of the days increased rapidly at first, and then tapered off. July and August are traditionally the coldest and the windiest months in Antarctica. It was no different this year. The longest blizzard was in the month of August. It lasted 5 days. The wind speed on 14th August reached 110 knots, which is extremely rare at Maitri. But life was easier because of the ever increasing sunshine.
Now that September is here, the temperatures have increased considerably. Presently, they are in the early -20s and the days are 12 hours long. The convoys have resumed and so have the other outdoor activities. It is now possible to go for long walks if the weather is good. As the news about the next team and our return home filters in, there is cheerfulness and hope all around. But for now, we await the arrival of spring and with it the penguins and the skuas. Joyful days are now round the corner.
The Convoys Resume
After the lull of the polar nights, it was now time to get back to business, and finish off our last major task before handing over the station to the next team. Fuel and some other containers have to be brought to the station. So it was decided to resume the convoys around the 15th September, when the weather would begin to get a bit warm. But on getting a clear weather window, it was suddenly decided to start on 11th September 2008.
The temperature had suddenly fallen to -22°C overnight against our expectations (it was consistently around -15°C for the last few days). There were some doubts as to whether we should leave or not. If the temperature here was -22º, then it would in all probability be around -40° at the ice shelf. It would be a major strain on the men as well as the vehicles. But such thoughts were quickly banished and the convoy finally left at 4 AM, just at the break of dawn. The days had lengthened considerably after the polar night. So we could expect long hours of daylight. After a brief halt at Sankalp point, where the Banjara and Jeevan Jyoti were hooked to the vehicles, the convoy started for the shelf. As always, Krishnamoorthy was tugging the Banjara and Ganapathy was tugging Jeevan Jyoti. The rest of the vehicles were tugging empty oil tankers. It was a clear day, with bright sunshine all the way. Although the sun was shining in all its glory, the temperature was around-25ºC for most of the journey. It was the same when I had gone for my first convoy in May, but the sun made all the difference. It was a lot less stressful for all. Everyone was is a cheerful mood, unlike last time, when the mood was a lot more sombre. The convoy proceeded at a leisurely, but steady pace.
The route was a lot better this time. Most of the fissures in the blue ice caused by snow melt last summer had now filled up due to the good blizzards in the last few months, except in the crevasse area around barrel A20, where there is a gentle ascent. So the ride was a lot smoother this time. The tracks had disappeared due to fresh snow. So we were dependant on the GPS for showing us the route.
As dusk fell, the temperature plummeted down to -35°C. Our worst fear was coming true. Thankfully, there was no wind. Such weather conditions were expected to continue tomorrow as well, when fuel decanting would start. We reached the shelf at 7PM after an uneventful journey. The vehicles had behaved themselves. The vehicles were parked near the containers, Jeevan Jyoti was started, and the Banjara was made liveable. The blower was switched on, kitchen was started, and soon we settled down. It was party time after a tough day. Soon, the temperature inside was 35ºC as against -35ºC outside. As the frost of the last 3 months inside the Banjara started to melt, water started dripping from the roof and had to be wiped off repeatedly. It was amazing. A tiny 12 feet by 25 feet island of comfort was fighting for survival against 14000 square kilometres of icy desolation.
The next day was unexpectedly cloudy and windy. But it was also warmer at -26°. The decanting operations started soon. I was put on kitchen duty with Gaffar since I was untrained for any other job in the decanting operations. Soon, a snowdrift started. The wind was getting stronger. Before we realised, a blizzard was raging outside. The nearby vehicles and containers were lost to sight. But the work continued. I was busy fetching snow from outside to make water. Huge amounts of snow yielded pitiable quantities of water. So it was tough job but a lot of fun. The rest of the team members were coming in for short periods to warm themselves and have some tea. They discovered that their balaclavas refused to come off because they were frozen. They had to be warmed before they could be taken off. It was Herculean task to continue the decanting operations in this weather, when visibility was reduced to a few meters. Ice used to form on the snow goggles, but the snow used to hit the face and the eyes hard without them. So it was a difficult job. Somehow 2 containers were decanted, and then Ganapathy, the convoy chief, called it a day at 2 in the afternoon. Most of the members had mild frostbite on their faces. The rest of the day passed lazily, watching movies, eating, drinking and chatting. The plan was to yield to the weather, and wait for the blizzard to stop before starting work again. At night, the blizzard fizzled out. A faint moon was shining outside.
The next day was as clear as the first day. There was no evidence of the previous day's blizzard. So the rest of the work was finished at a leisurely pace. Meanwhile, I made a trip to the edge of the shelf. This was about 200 meters from where we had camped. The ocean had frozen over completely. There was no difference between the sea and the land, except for a steep edge about 50 meters high. Both were solid ice. It was fascinating to imagine that the ocean is actually frozen for over a 1000 km from where I was standing. The three poles to which our ship had moored were witness to the hectic activity this place saw in the summers. Decanting operations were going on nearby. The oil tankers from which the oil was being decanted were buried in snow upto their roof. One could walk all over the containers. At this rate, these containers would soon be completely buried in snow. The scenario was completely different during my last convoy. But then this is what we expect in Antarctica.
I next went to a portacabin nearby. It is a small cabin meant for use primarily during the summers when scientific and logistic teams work extensively on the shelf in case of emergency. There is sleeping arrangement for 7 people along with adequate food arrangements. A generator is also present, but is out of order. Anyhow, heating is not needed during the summers. There is an automated geomagnetism experiment going on in the portacabin.
Work was over by evening. The vehicles were refuelled and made ready for the return journey the next morning. This was quick work and it went according to plan, except for the blizzard. But then there is no fun in a convoy unless we get stuck up for a few days in a blizzard.
The next morning, the temperature again dipped to -29°C. When we were set to depart, Meena's vehicle would not start. This was the hazard of doing a convoy in such low temperatures. It took about 3 hours to start the vehicle. The other vehicles had in built heaters, which helped in ignition. We finally left at 9 AM. It was partly cloudy. Upto barrel C7, we encountered soft snow. That made our progress slow. The vehicle tracks used to sink in the snow. This was due to the huge loads that all the vehicles were tugging. After C7, the route was a mixture of snow and ice. That made life easier. It soon became overcast and very windy. There were chances of another blizzard. The further inland we went, the less the chances of a blizzard. So we hurried up, with minimum halts. We did not have our meals till we reached the station.
The rest of the journey passed uneventfully. Banjara and Jeevan Jyoti were unhooked at Sankalp. The rest of the loads were tugged to the station. We reached the station at midnight of 14- 15 September. It was clear weather here. No blizzard had hit Maitri. So that brought another convoy to a close. That leaves 2 more to go.
The temperature had suddenly fallen to -22°C overnight against our expectations (it was consistently around -15°C for the last few days). There were some doubts as to whether we should leave or not. If the temperature here was -22º, then it would in all probability be around -40° at the ice shelf. It would be a major strain on the men as well as the vehicles. But such thoughts were quickly banished and the convoy finally left at 4 AM, just at the break of dawn. The days had lengthened considerably after the polar night. So we could expect long hours of daylight. After a brief halt at Sankalp point, where the Banjara and Jeevan Jyoti were hooked to the vehicles, the convoy started for the shelf. As always, Krishnamoorthy was tugging the Banjara and Ganapathy was tugging Jeevan Jyoti. The rest of the vehicles were tugging empty oil tankers. It was a clear day, with bright sunshine all the way. Although the sun was shining in all its glory, the temperature was around-25ºC for most of the journey. It was the same when I had gone for my first convoy in May, but the sun made all the difference. It was a lot less stressful for all. Everyone was is a cheerful mood, unlike last time, when the mood was a lot more sombre. The convoy proceeded at a leisurely, but steady pace.
The route was a lot better this time. Most of the fissures in the blue ice caused by snow melt last summer had now filled up due to the good blizzards in the last few months, except in the crevasse area around barrel A20, where there is a gentle ascent. So the ride was a lot smoother this time. The tracks had disappeared due to fresh snow. So we were dependant on the GPS for showing us the route.
As dusk fell, the temperature plummeted down to -35°C. Our worst fear was coming true. Thankfully, there was no wind. Such weather conditions were expected to continue tomorrow as well, when fuel decanting would start. We reached the shelf at 7PM after an uneventful journey. The vehicles had behaved themselves. The vehicles were parked near the containers, Jeevan Jyoti was started, and the Banjara was made liveable. The blower was switched on, kitchen was started, and soon we settled down. It was party time after a tough day. Soon, the temperature inside was 35ºC as against -35ºC outside. As the frost of the last 3 months inside the Banjara started to melt, water started dripping from the roof and had to be wiped off repeatedly. It was amazing. A tiny 12 feet by 25 feet island of comfort was fighting for survival against 14000 square kilometres of icy desolation.
The next day was unexpectedly cloudy and windy. But it was also warmer at -26°. The decanting operations started soon. I was put on kitchen duty with Gaffar since I was untrained for any other job in the decanting operations. Soon, a snowdrift started. The wind was getting stronger. Before we realised, a blizzard was raging outside. The nearby vehicles and containers were lost to sight. But the work continued. I was busy fetching snow from outside to make water. Huge amounts of snow yielded pitiable quantities of water. So it was tough job but a lot of fun. The rest of the team members were coming in for short periods to warm themselves and have some tea. They discovered that their balaclavas refused to come off because they were frozen. They had to be warmed before they could be taken off. It was Herculean task to continue the decanting operations in this weather, when visibility was reduced to a few meters. Ice used to form on the snow goggles, but the snow used to hit the face and the eyes hard without them. So it was a difficult job. Somehow 2 containers were decanted, and then Ganapathy, the convoy chief, called it a day at 2 in the afternoon. Most of the members had mild frostbite on their faces. The rest of the day passed lazily, watching movies, eating, drinking and chatting. The plan was to yield to the weather, and wait for the blizzard to stop before starting work again. At night, the blizzard fizzled out. A faint moon was shining outside.
The next day was as clear as the first day. There was no evidence of the previous day's blizzard. So the rest of the work was finished at a leisurely pace. Meanwhile, I made a trip to the edge of the shelf. This was about 200 meters from where we had camped. The ocean had frozen over completely. There was no difference between the sea and the land, except for a steep edge about 50 meters high. Both were solid ice. It was fascinating to imagine that the ocean is actually frozen for over a 1000 km from where I was standing. The three poles to which our ship had moored were witness to the hectic activity this place saw in the summers. Decanting operations were going on nearby. The oil tankers from which the oil was being decanted were buried in snow upto their roof. One could walk all over the containers. At this rate, these containers would soon be completely buried in snow. The scenario was completely different during my last convoy. But then this is what we expect in Antarctica.
I next went to a portacabin nearby. It is a small cabin meant for use primarily during the summers when scientific and logistic teams work extensively on the shelf in case of emergency. There is sleeping arrangement for 7 people along with adequate food arrangements. A generator is also present, but is out of order. Anyhow, heating is not needed during the summers. There is an automated geomagnetism experiment going on in the portacabin.
Work was over by evening. The vehicles were refuelled and made ready for the return journey the next morning. This was quick work and it went according to plan, except for the blizzard. But then there is no fun in a convoy unless we get stuck up for a few days in a blizzard.
The next morning, the temperature again dipped to -29°C. When we were set to depart, Meena's vehicle would not start. This was the hazard of doing a convoy in such low temperatures. It took about 3 hours to start the vehicle. The other vehicles had in built heaters, which helped in ignition. We finally left at 9 AM. It was partly cloudy. Upto barrel C7, we encountered soft snow. That made our progress slow. The vehicle tracks used to sink in the snow. This was due to the huge loads that all the vehicles were tugging. After C7, the route was a mixture of snow and ice. That made life easier. It soon became overcast and very windy. There were chances of another blizzard. The further inland we went, the less the chances of a blizzard. So we hurried up, with minimum halts. We did not have our meals till we reached the station.
The rest of the journey passed uneventfully. Banjara and Jeevan Jyoti were unhooked at Sankalp. The rest of the loads were tugged to the station. We reached the station at midnight of 14- 15 September. It was clear weather here. No blizzard had hit Maitri. So that brought another convoy to a close. That leaves 2 more to go.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Fireworks in the polar sky
The day was 28th Feb 2008 and the time was 11:00 PM. The night time movie show had just ended and we were preparing to retire for the night. There was a bright moonlight outside. The night had begun to fall just a month ago, after the end of the polar day (24 hours sunshine). So we were still getting used to the darkness. The peace of the station was suddenly shattered by shouts of "aurora aa gaya..". Most of us did not realise what the issue was all about. But still we rushed out into the biting cold of the polar autumn in our night suits. There was a lot of confusion around.
Outside, we were greeted by the most awesome sights we are ever likely to see in our lives. It was the sight that made the Herculean task of wintering over in Antarctica worthwhile. The southern part of the sky had beautiful, colourful waveforms floating around like plumes of smoke. They were predominantly green and blue in colour and had a ghostly appearance. They reminded me of the ghosts in the movie 'Ghostbusters'. There was no doubt in our minds now that these were the most eagerly awaited phenomenon of the polar winters- the aurora australis. These were dancing waves of colourful lights, floating towards the eastern part of the sky and weakened behind a hillock. They changed their shapes and colours frequently. Their intensity fluctuated rapidly- just when we thought that it was over, they reappeared again. One wave followed the next. It lasted for about half and hour. Then there was darkness again. It was a truly celestial event. We felt blessed that day.
The auroral activity occurred every now and then throughout the winter period, sometimes of great intensity, sometimes so weak that they appeared like clouds. The weak ones could be distinguished from clouds by their constantly and rapidly changing shapes. The most brilliant aurora during our expedition occurred on 22nd July 2008 at 10:30 PM. They were emerging from behind the glacier, towards the southern side of the station in bright colours and moving towards the north-east. The reds, yellows, greens, orange- all were there. The colours were so intense that they gave the impression of a laser show in the sky. That was the same day that our dog, Nuts passed away. Our team leader had dragged me out to help me overcome by grief. It was a very poignant moment for me. While looking at the aurora, I felt as if Nuts was waving goodbye to me, taking the shape of the aurora. I took some of the most beautiful photographs of my life on that night. It was a parting gift to me from her, and a very precious one at that.
When I am able to browse the net, I will post some of my own photographs of the aurora and many more.
Friday, September 5, 2008
It's Action Time
The polar nights are now long over, and so is period of post polar night blues. It's now time to shake away the laziness and get back to business. The days are now 9 hours long and the temperatures are expected to start rising in September. There is a lot of work to be done before the next team arrives in early November. The convoys will resume around the 15th September. It is a bit early but in order to make up for the less number of convoys before the polar nights on account of poor 'road' conditions, they have to start early. The only condition is that the temperatures should be above -20° C at Maitri. That would correspond to a temperature of -30°C at the ice shelf. The rest of the expedition members in the station will spruce up the station before the next team arrives. The summer camp has to be made ready, snow has to be removed from the accommodation, water lines have to be unchoked and the accommodation has to be cleaned. The regular maintenance of the station has to be carried out along with the necessary repairs to hand over the station in good condition.
This is also the ideal time to start exploring around and also for photography. The wildlife will start returning in October. There will soon be penguins, skuas and snow petrels all around.
This last leg of wintering is also the most stressful time. All are eagerly awaiting the arrival of the next team and our departure in December, leading to anxiety and impatience. The preponderance of experienced people in our team is a boon and that helps in keeping us youngsters in check. So far the wintering has been a pleasant and a learning experience.
The latest good news from Maitri is the introduction of TV telecast here. During the summer period this year, a dish antenna was set up for the purpose of video conferencing, TV and internet. Now, the set up in India is also complete. So we are now able to enjoy TV all day long. Although we can receive only one channel at a time, but it is really helpful in lifting the morale of the team. We feel better connected with our homeland. It gives us a glimpse of the civilised world and normal life back home. Soon, we are expecting web browsing facility as well. That would improve things further and improve the communication with our family and friends apart from keeping up to date with the world. I would also be able to post pictures on this blog.
In the meanwhile, I have to get back to 'normal' life here. I just returned from a walk in the blizzard. I took a few video clips outside and they have turned out to be truly awesome. This is the most blinding of all that we have had so far. It is truly ferocious and is bringing in a lot of snow. There is a lot of work that will need to be done in and around the station if it continues. Right now the concern is to prevent the water and sewage lines from getting choked.
This is also the ideal time to start exploring around and also for photography. The wildlife will start returning in October. There will soon be penguins, skuas and snow petrels all around.
This last leg of wintering is also the most stressful time. All are eagerly awaiting the arrival of the next team and our departure in December, leading to anxiety and impatience. The preponderance of experienced people in our team is a boon and that helps in keeping us youngsters in check. So far the wintering has been a pleasant and a learning experience.
The latest good news from Maitri is the introduction of TV telecast here. During the summer period this year, a dish antenna was set up for the purpose of video conferencing, TV and internet. Now, the set up in India is also complete. So we are now able to enjoy TV all day long. Although we can receive only one channel at a time, but it is really helpful in lifting the morale of the team. We feel better connected with our homeland. It gives us a glimpse of the civilised world and normal life back home. Soon, we are expecting web browsing facility as well. That would improve things further and improve the communication with our family and friends apart from keeping up to date with the world. I would also be able to post pictures on this blog.
In the meanwhile, I have to get back to 'normal' life here. I just returned from a walk in the blizzard. I took a few video clips outside and they have turned out to be truly awesome. This is the most blinding of all that we have had so far. It is truly ferocious and is bringing in a lot of snow. There is a lot of work that will need to be done in and around the station if it continues. Right now the concern is to prevent the water and sewage lines from getting choked.
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