Turf in Antarctica?: November 2013

So I am back in Antarctica again for season 3. It is amazing how fast my summer went working for the Rockies again after having to shovel snow from the field 3 times, dealing with rain games, bad umpire crews and the retiring of Todd Helton. I was glad that I got in a little vacation in April to hike the Grand Canyon with my friend Alysa from down here as well as participated in an adventure relay race called Ski to Sea Memorial Day weekend.

So a little update on all things that are Tim from the last post and to today.

Life here in Antarctica was a bit of a roller coaster ride once I got here on October 3rd. While I was in New Zealand the United States government shutdown thus putting the Antarctic Operations for the summer season in a bit of a bind. I was on the first flight of what is called main body so the effects of the shutdown were not quite felt by the 120 of us who flew in, but others that were on their way to New Zealand were in the ride of their lives over the next few days and weeks after I got here. The weather on the date of our arrival was beautiful, clear blue skies and warm to. So having to go to work right away and unload the baggage wasn't that bad. It was nice after the long 5 hour flight to get to work right away. The next flight in was delayed a few days for weather and ended up being a bit of a scary flight and landing for those on the flight. The plane was unable to turn around and head back for New Zealand since it was pasts it's turn around point for bad weather and had no choice but to land here at McMurdo. They ended up circling overhead for about 2 hours before landing and the last little bit of fuel they had on board.

Here is a link to an article about the flight. http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/air-force-investigate-scary-antarctic-landing-5643184

Shortly after this flight landed we found out that due to the government shutdown the program was going to go into what is known as caretaker status. Which means that only the essential people that are needed to maintain the facilities would keep their job and all science studies would stop. What that meant for me was that I would be able to keep my job for only as long as planes would be flying, once they stopped my season would come to an end. Luckily things changed and the government decided to fund operations again so our season is now a go. So this year I am a Cargo Senior which means I will have my own team that I will work with building cargo for flights for field camps and for the South Pole station. I am looking forward to the challenges that this position will bring me this season but also the fun that I hope to have in the position as well. So that is all for now, hope you all enjoy the pictures and the stories to come this season.

Tim