From the Ice

Mid-winter dream of winds easing didn’t happen! 14 days and counting… (picture by Ian Prickett)…

In the Antarctic community the winter solstice is a significant event for it marks the slow return of the sun. The latitude of where you are on the continent will determine how long the winter darkness lasts but for all who winter here the passage of Mid-Winter’s Day is a very significant event. It means that the sun is slowly on its way back and the day when it actually appears above t…

Following today’s announcement, Ice Team Leader Brian Newham talks to camera about what was ultimately his decision to put a halt to the first ever attempt to cross the Antarctic in winter. The video includes footage of the Cat D6Ns getting into tricky situations on the ice, as well as providing an idea of the science work that is being carried out by the team and will remain an extremely…

“Ice making its way into the caravan. -50C and blowing more than 50 knots will do that.” – as tweeted by Ian Prickett this evening on his personal Twitter feed. As if the guys didn’t have enough things to worry about right now! They will get it sorted out soon enough, but ice on the INSIDE of your bedroom in one of the harshest places on Earth? Not nice. Keep strong Team, we’re right behind you.

Video update by Richmond Dykes, featuring a rare appearance by Mary Mouse. Filming by Ian Prickett.

“Another 50ml of blood sucked out in the name of Science! Lets hope they go to Mars for all this!” – as posted on Ian Prickett’s twitter feed…

Bridging Crevasses in the Dark Watch this video by Ian Prickett to get more of an idea of the working day for the Ice Team right now. It is near permanent darkness and the temperature has dropped as low as -50C with howling winds. Thankfully the winds have eased the last two days allowing Ian to get out with his camera and showing us what the team is up to. Thank you Ian.

The sun set on the Ice Team some weeks ago by as you can see hear they still benefit from the most beautiful twilights which lighten the skies for an hour or so each day now. This picture was taken by Brian Newham four days ago when the wind dropped. As he put it, it was “quite pleasant in the garden” that day!

This photograph peering down the mouth of a crevasse was taken by Ian Prickett very, very carefully.

Here is a video shot by Ian showing the tent going up around one of the Cats for repairs and a peep inside too. There’s also a random image of a crevasse for some reason – but I guess the are popping up everywhere!