Who we are and what we're doing!


Welcome to our project site! We are six National Science Foundation-funded researchers from Pacific Lutheran University, Berkeley Geochronology Center, University of Washington, and the University of Maine who are studying the glacial history of the Pensacola Mountains in West Antarctica.

Our 2011-2012 field season is almost underway! We will spend about two weeks in McMurdo equipping ourselves for another month in the Pensacola Mountains. We spent December 16th, 2010 through January 17th, 2011 in the Pensacola Mountains, where we mapped and sampled glacial deposits along the Foundation Ice Stream. This year, we will revisit last year's field sites, and map new regions of the mountain range.

Our work will track the thinning history of the Weddell Sea Sector of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet, and will also provide insights into ice sheet dynamics, and the history of sea level contribution from this sector of the ice sheet.

In the coming weeks and months, we will use this site to show you our preparations for the 2011-2012 field season, and to share our initial results as they emerge. Please check back to catch up with our progress. Thanks for finding us!

Friday, January 20, 2012

December 19th - Our flight to the Thomas Hills!

Hello Friends, 


After a month in the field, we are enjoying the amenities of McMurdo Station. We've enjoyed our first showers in 30 days, meals that have been prepared for us, sleeping in a bed, and sitting in chairs. Even without these luxuries in the field, we had a truly fantastic season; we are excited to share it with you.  I am tempted to start with yesterday's camp pull-out, but I think our adventure will make the most sense to you if I start at the beginning. I am fairly tired, so I may have to complete this first post in two parts. We'll see! 


We flew to the Thomas Hills from McMurdo on Monday, December 19th. 


Our journey began in one of McMurdo's shuttle vans. Our transport time was moved 45 minutes earlier with about 15 minutes notice, so we were a bit rushed. Spirits were high as we headed out toward the airfield!
It was a beautiful day for a flight. The airfield hosts Twin Otters as well as LC-130s. Here's a Twin Otter with Mount Erebus. Twin Otters will be featured in later posts; we required two days of Twin Otter flights this field season!
We enjoyed the Antarctic graffiti. 
The shuttle van transported us to the airfield galley where we were told to wait.

Finally, we were summoned to another shuttle van that transported us to the aircraft.
The crew was ready for us! 

Note the four jet-assisted take off units attached to the side of the aircraft.
We were pleased to be on our way!
Our flight carried the second half of our cargo; the first half was transported to the Thomas Hills the week prior.
The flight was about four hours long. Many of us stayed up quite late the night before. There are many last-minute tasks to take care of in preparation for being out of touch for a month!
We were eager to see our new home.  
Once the plane touched down, we could see the Thomas Hills! The plane continued to taxi throughout cargo offload.
Notice the loadmaster standing at the back of the aircraft. Let the unloading begin!
I am afraid I'm going to have to share the cargo offload, LC-130 take-off, and camp set-up tomorrow. I am dozing off as I type this! Apologies for the cliffhanger. Many thanks for checking in with us. More exciting pictures to come. 

Claire
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