Newsletter 2 Published

Follow my links for the next newsletter that was published.  


From my side there is not much to report regarding life on base at the moment.  We did, however, have absolutely amazing aurora last night.  My photographs did not do justice but I will borrow some from Braam hopefully.  "Watch this space."


I am very thankful for an upbringing that allows me to appreciate natural wonders and beauty.  I am surprised and maybe a little sad to learn that some people are apathetic towards the wonders of our earth.  That might explain why we are neglecting it so badly.  

Well said

"Antarctica left a longing in my heart beckoning towards an incomprehensible perfection forever beyond the reach of mortal man. Its overwhelming beauty touches one so deeply that it is like a wound."
Edwin Mickleburgh

The above (not the photo) is from an article in the Star which concluded a series on the last handover period at SANAE.

(Star article - Nice one Kristen)

Aurora

We had some very feint traces of aurora earlier but last night it started to show a bit clearer.  What made it great, however, was the fact that it was a cloudless, windless night.  If my camera's battery lasted I would probably still be outside.  

Long weekend hike

With the past easter weekend three teammates and I decided to go for a hike around Vesleskarvet (the mountaintop on which SANAE is built).  The conditions were quite cold so we really had to dress warmly.  We had to cross a section of ice that has the possibility of crevasses so we also had to rope up.  In other words we were all attached to a climbing rope and we walked in single file stretched out over the length of rope.  The rationale is that if one of us falls through a snow bridge into a crevasse the rest will have time to anchor themselves with ice axes into the snow and will then be able to rescue the unlucky one who is probably busy taking pictures of the inside of a crevasse.   

** Note: The 'bandaged' face is only Braam in his 2nd world war extreme weather gear, which he insists is very effective. **

At one point we were sheltered from most of the wind and we dug into our lunch.  I think the cup of tea I had will remain in my top 10 of all time.  It was quite special to sit on the ice with a few mates and nothing to see or hear for hundreds of kilometers.

On the return we had to walk up a rather steep incline directly into the wind and the respect one has for the arctic explorers of yesteryear grew further.

After about 5 hours outside we were very glad for the luxury of hot showers and the warmth of cosy old SANAE.

Photos by journos

Die Burger newspaper's photos of Antarctica


(P.S. These photos were taken during this past handover season, some by journalists and some by the helicopter pilots.)