Over the past week we've gone through more classes and training programs than I ever could have imagined! Since our arrival at McMurdo Station, the U.S. Antarctic Program has ensured that we will be well-prepared to handle both the rigors of work out on the ice, as well the unique requirements of living and working together in this small community that revolves around the gathering of scientific knowledge.
The most intensive of the training programs we've completed was the two-day Field Safety Training Program (referred to lovingly as "Happy Camper School") where we learned how to survive on the ice by pitching tents and building a snow shelter known as a "Quinzhee". Then we spent a very cold night in our temporary homes on the sea ice!
Today we completed our course on Sea Ice Safety Training where we learned how to test the sea ice we will be traveling on by drilling through the ice to make sure it is thick enough to safely hold our weight. You can take a look at the USAP Field Manual for some great information on working out in the field in Antarctica. We've also learned how to drive skidoos, mattrack trucks and pisten bullies!
Next week, some of our group--including renowned underwater imager Norbert Wu and a team of top-notch BBC natural history unit documentary filmmakers--will begin doing check-out dives under the ice. I will do some topside video of that very involved process. And also hope to begin some of the video portraits of women working here, as well as post some of the video questions produced by students working with the Ocean Intitute's Girls in Ocean Science Teen Conference. So keep checking back because we'll have much more on all of this in the coming weeks!
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