Landing Bluff, Sunday, 9th December 2001

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The superb weather conditions of the previous day, were transformed by a severe low forming in Prydz Bay (the third in a week) into a 30 knot blizzard forming during the early hours of the morning. The blizzard was forecast to last for two days without much respite. Visibility was cut down to less than a mile with occasional sightings of Sansom 2.5 miles away, so of course there were no flight operations planned today. The blizzard quickly built piles of soft snow blocking doors to some of the huts. Moving between huts was difficult, but the northern wind was moderately mild (-1°). Our tiny Russian huts were as warm and comfortable as could be expected. They really had a lot of character. The day was spent sorting out gear, writing christmas cards to make the ship's departure from Antarctica. My room sort of became a technological nerve centre with satellite phones all being fired up for configuration and testing. Anyone daring to stand in front of the window would have had a healthy dose of microwave radiation ! Only Andy's phone managed to get lock on the IOR (Indian Ocean) Inmarsat and after much stuffing around, finally got some important emails received and sent off. Later I blocked out the daylight and we enjoyed some wine in candle-light, the blizzard still raging outside.

Landing Bluff (LDBF) Technical Inspection


Landing Bluff (Druzhnaya IV Station) S 69°44'48" E 73°42'35"

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