Landing Bluff, Thursday, 20th December 2001
We all woke much earlier, with superb weather conditions returning at last. After almost two weeks of kicking our heels we spent the morning preparing for a possible move down to Beaver Lake. Alas, the two choppers on the Polar Bird couldn't operate because of low cloud and fog around the boat, so only one Squirrel and the Sikorsky 76 were carrying loads. The first cab off the rank was an AMISOR load, almost too late for the season, but hopefully it would tip the scales in their favour. The weather closed on the Amery Ice Shelf and we sent a load of the German's coring gear and essential rations up to Lake Terra Savoje with Martin. Andy and Margie started walking from Terra Savoje towards Beaver Lake to recce a likely quad route for later use and they were picked up and dropped at Beaver Lake camp after the load was delivered. The weather conditions there were apparently perfect and sunny. The temperature at Beaver Lake a staggering 11° in the shade, but with a thick snow covering all around. Many GCMs were predicting massive temeparture increases this century in this region, a correct assertion it would seem, so far this summer (with greater precipitation falling as snow as a direct result). Unfortunately low cloud rolled in off the Ice Shelf as the afternoon progressed and the choppers had to re-divert to Davis. The cloud base dropped quickly in the late afternoon and soon the whole place was bathed in thick and silent fog. We dined ravenously on a curry (with fresh spuds, carrots and rice from Davis), our first "real" meal for some time. Our request for 12 tallies of Davis dark ale was also pleasingly fulfilled, as was our thirst !! The perfect accompaniment to a hot curry. Later in the evening, the spectacular accoustics of the Bluff were tested with the bagpipe chanter to good effect, even causing our resident seal at the tide crack to raise it's head.

Landing Bluff (LDBF) Technical Inspection

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

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