After initial delay, COLDEX’s first field team arrives at McMurdo

By Peter Neff

Sunday November 20, 2022

A two-week travel shutdown restricting travel to McMurdo Station, Antarctica has made for a challenging start to the first COLDEX field season. As you know, the I-165 Allan Hills shallow ice coring team has been ready and waiting in Christchurch (CHC), New Zealand since November 5. Camp manager Johnathan Hayden has luckily been in McMurdo since November 3, and has made great progress preparing equipment and planning for the field season. The team in CHC has kept busy with remote trainings, other work, walks around the city and suburbs, and careful meals outside. After a first attempt at flying to McMurdo on a C-17 November 18th, the team will try again on the 21st (20th in USA). Fingers crossed for friendly skies and working aircraft!

Deploying team members for I-185 McMurdo/South Pole airborne radar and I-188 Allan Hills ground-based radar have been waiting at home for approval to deploy, which could come as early as November 23. We have been working hard with project leaders, Antarctic Support Contract implementers, and the NSF to get all projects moving again after the travel shutdown.

Sarah, Julia, Jacob, and Austin enjoying walking in the hills above Lyttelton, NZ.

Update: The team arrived at McMurdo Station on Nov 21!