Christ Church

I made it to Christ Church, New Zealand despite a touchdown in the windy sandstorm of Sydney to change planes. It looks like the flight to the ice is delayed due to stormy weather in Antarctica. But CC is definitely not a bad place to be while waiting it out. We had more orientation with the recommendation that we take four 8-min showers per week while at McMurdo. This is actually quite liberal compared to the mandatory restriction of two 2-min showers per week for the folks at the South Pole station.

Today we went to the US Antarctic Center to get our issue of Extreme Cold Weather gear. My sister and I were here four years ago. It was then that I decided I was going to find a way to work on the ice so it was fun to return under these circumstances. The clothes for our work were distributed. I'm getting adjusted to the time change and getting some runs in around the beautiful botanical gardens. I'm currently reading The Last Place on Earth: Scott and Amundsen's Race to the South Pole by Roland Huntford and next up is a re-read of Endurance by Alfred Lansing.

Good news on the budget front. The program was given quite a bit more money to go toward fresh vegetables while on the ice so the veterans are really happy about that as am I. We are hoping our flight doesn't "boomerang" tomorrow. Slang for an ice flight that takes off for McMurdo but has to return due to inclement weather. The record for boomerangs is 7! So if all goes well I will get to the ice this week without having to turn around. More time in NZ isn't too shabby though!

Goodbye for a while Seattle...make that goodbye Northern Hemisphere

I hit SeaTac with two big duffels and plans for an initial flight to Denver for orientation (Littleton actually). I was put up in a hotel so my sister, Amie, came by for a visit. Before I left Seattle I spent some good quality time with my nephew practicing his "M"s. He got the M down but Man-die was a bit much. Thanks for the awesome farewell dinner Matt and Jane!

Orientation has been full of exciting pictures from the ice and good advice. Of course some of it is just plain common sense (i.e. wear gloves if it's 60 degrees below zero). People are really energetic. Just the coolest bunch of people with the most interesting stories. I am the only one in my group who is going down for the first time. Everyone else has been there 3, 6, 15 times. Crazy hard core! A mix of very smart grad school types, people who look like they stepped off an Alaskan fishing rig and just a few who look like they might spend their free time trying to build a spaceship to Mars. The scientists don't come down for another month or so (except for those that wintered over and will be leaving as I get there). I am part of the support structure that will be in place when the researchers get there so their projects can run smoothly. Tomorrow I head to LA-Sydney-Christchurch and then it is game on!

Passport...check, money...check, glacier goggles...check

There is nothing to strengthen you for a new challenge than seeing old friends. I really feel lucky to be friends with so many interesting people.
Just as I was feeling a little daunted by actually going to Antarctica I got my quote of the day that I get each morning on my computer. It said "It takes courage to push yourself to places that you have never been before...to test your limits...to break through barriers. And the day came when the risk it took to remain tight inside the bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom." Okay, point taken.
But I do feel oddly like I did right before I started my freshman year in college and was about to meet my roommate for the first time. Dorms again. Yes, but this time they'll be elevated 6 feet off the ground.

What I'll Be Missing

The time has come to pack 5 months worth of supplies and say goodbye to my family and friends. I took care of a lot of things in the last 6-8 weeks so I could enjoy Seattle in September without feeling overwhelmed. I've been trying to get some quality time in with my nephew, Dylan, and my brother and SIL, Matt and Jane. I'm used to seeing them alot and Dylan makes me laugh every time I see him. I'm so glad we have the internet! Here is a pic of him in the water...the happy guy!

Thanks to Matt and Jane for so many laughs and a great summer. I'll be looking forward to seeing you guys at the airport when I get back in February. Then you'll take me straight to the hair salon right? This mane is going to be crazy. I suppose someone knows how to use a pair of scissors down there.

Getting ready

Thanks for checking out my blog! It's a chance to document my adventure to Antarctica. I'll be working for 5 months as the physical therapist at McMurdo Station with a chance to do some excursions away from home base if time and weather allow. I'll be there for the Antarctic summer 2009-2010.

I made the rounds in the last few weeks to see as many of my wonderful friends as I could. Between the physical therapy world, biathlon, climbing, ultimate frisbee and my friends from Ellensburg there were a lot of people to see. Thanks to you all for your well wishes. The map shows where I'll be spending most of my time. McMurdo Station will be my home and side trips to the South Pole Station are planned if the weather abides.




The plan is for 2 days of orientation in Denver (and a chance to say bye to my sis), 2 days in New Zealand to get my ECW gear (Extreme Cold Weather) and then off to the ice. It's amazing how much time you can eat up with logistics without any real packing getting done!