TheNiteCarte
An Irregular Collection Of Scott Base Doings ...
Hi family, friends and folks. This is the first edition of our winter over newsletter for 1998. Contributions have been made by several of the staff here at Scott Base and more arms are being twisted! Views expressed in this newsletter do not necessarily reflect the policies and aims of Antarctica New Zealand, so keep your lawyers on a short leash.
We're having a good time here so don't worry about us, just sit back and enjoy some of the stuff your people on Ice have been up to.
Getting the Point
The Darts Team has been chucking spears in an international competition over the month of March. These games are played by throwing your darts at the board (how novel... imagine!) and then reporting the results over HF radio to the other participating stations. The first night we played against South Pole who, to bump up their odds, fielded two teams. Fortunately that was quite some time ago and the score escapes me (but I don't think it was in our favour).
The second week saw the McMurdo team arrive in the Scott Base bar, providing a bit of entertainment. South Pole walked away with two wins and Scott Base one. The McMurdo guys vowed to return (ghosts of MacArthur).
A truly international match occurred in the last week of March, with two Australian stations Davis and Casey coming to the electromagnetic party. Apart from the obvious difficulty of understanding all those accents on HF, South Pole managed to keep order on the airwaves (and the scores). Casey station pegged the first win and the opportunist Polesters snatched one for themselves. The Kiwis showed great stamina late in the evening to take the last match with the winning dart from flying from the hand of Steve.
Bowling Over to MacTown
On the last day of March the Bowling team made its debut with Daring Dave top scoring for the team at 135. Erratic Eric (have you noticed that Eric is erratic without the rat? [Ed]) had a bad case of the splits (113), newcomer Geoff put in a good game (114), while Pauline pulled 70 out of the bag.. not bad for a first time. Unfortunately the team with no name managed to string together a few good shots to score 513 and taking the game
Hearsay on Hockey
Tuesday 24 March saw the Scott Base Hackers over at the Gym to learn what Americans mean by Hockey. It seems body contact is OK so Herm "Bruiser" Binnie got into the swing of things while Helen "Hell for Shins" Ryrie softened up the opposition's running gear. Mork "I really don't need this stick while I'm Goalie" put in a solid defense. It seems the only person that didn't have tales of tragedy was Ray.
The Americans seeing the Kiwi firepower decided to keep our guys on the court for 20 minutes while each of their teams had a go at thrashing our fledgling team. Later the Kiwis came into their own through shear tenacity and the flagging fitness of the opposition.
And from our team correspondent...
This international competition is played every Tuesday night at MacTown. The very liberal rules allow the game to rapidly accelerate into a fast action sport of attack, defence and shin bruising.
When we (Kevin, Helen, Ray, Herm) turned up on the first night at 7pm, the kiwi contingent made valiant efforts to learn a strange new game. This was hockey, but not as we knew it.
There are four players per side using sticks that are the same type you see in ice hockey, with their long flat blades. The ball (not a hockey puck, thankfully) is nice and soft until it hits you at warp speed (maybe this is the original meaning of warp speed, eh Bruiser? [Ed]). The winning team after three goals stays in, while the losers go off to rest so the incoming team is fresh.
The games are fast and intense. We unnerved the opposition by yelling really loud as we ran towards them... a ploy that worked more than once. Herm had her own way of unnerving her opponent by turning a bright shade of purple (over exertion and oxygen deprivation) while grinding her teeth and showing no mercy with the use of her Hockey stick. She gained plenty of respect in a very short time !!
Nobody kept score in the multiple games played during the hour and a half, but we all had a good time. The Americans did say it was a bit more physical than they had expected, and showed us some of their bruises to prove it. The next week, we had the added advantage of Steve and a bit of experience up our sleeve. Our game became more technical than brutal (except for Steve who was still in the learning stages). We tried various ways of working with the ball e.g. hockey stick or feet (hard decision in some situations). Two offensive players and two defence players worked well and we even mixed teams a bit to become truly international sides.
We all decided it's a sport we'll continue with over the winter.
An inside account from our raving reporter, Pauline Nunns...
I was woken by a light tapping on my bedroom door and Ray telling me today was the big day.
After rising and throwing some water on my face to wake myself up, I proceeded to the mess to see five others awake ready to take on the day. My climbing companions for the day were, Dave (Zen Master) instigator of the trip we were about to embark upon, and his followers Kevin (Mork), Mike Z (our resident German), Ray and Geoff. We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day and as we left Scott Base there was a magnificent sunrise from the East.
After a two and a half hour drive in the Hagglunds we arrived at Black Island, who's uppermost peak is the great Mt. Aurora, 3400ft skywards. We got kitted and started the upward incline. After fifteen minutes, I felt it was time to go home... no such luxury. A small tantrum later, and much understanding from Ray, I was ready to move on. My head gear that had already set the tone for the day by being annoying and irritating and sliding around my head. Who said being a big head wasn't good??? At least the damn gear would fit, instead of doing 360's around my head. I eventually got it fixed.
Ray tried valiantly to humour me, but I wouldn't have a bar of it. I was trailing for most of the ascent with one or more of the guys staying with me, maybe they thought I'd try and make a run for the Hagglunds when they weren't looking.
Finally, we reached the top, all of us, yes myself included. I was incredibly joyous... that meant we could now descend. Yee-hah!!! I'm still of the firm opinion that the only time I will ever go to the top of Mt. Aurora again will be in a helicopter. The ascent took approximately four hours and the descent about two and a half. I fair skipped down, so great was my joy at going home. After so much climbing my limbs had become rather clumsy. I managed to somehow cross my little toe over the one next to it, twist my hand in an awkward manner, and stick my Ice Axe in between my legs nearly tripping myself up and going head first down the mountain. The rest of the party were real trojans, not a complaint from any of them and especially understanding to the one member who was more than a little petulant
We reached the Hagglunds at about 5pm and started the journey home. We stopped, alighting from the Hagglunds at McDonalds for a quick cuppa and a frozen sandwich of cornbeef and coleslaw. Then we proceeded with Ray driving hell bent for Scott Base. We were shaken to our very bones till I decided it was time for me to drive. All the party with the exception of Dave did some great noddy impersonations on the way back. We arrived at Scott Base at 7:30pm, tired and worn but joyous in the fact that we had done that which we'd set out to do.
Trip to Aurora
All the Scott Base folks got the opportunity to go for a walk in the fresh air and reacquaint themselves with the real Antarctic... Black Island to be specific.
Mt. Aurora was the object of this quest and the first ascent party topped the rock on Wednesday 25 March. A group effort saw all reach their goal although some commented on the sanity of a noted early explorer.
The second party of Steve, Helen, Herm, Eric, Chris and Johno left Scott Base about 7am the next day. Cruising along in the Hagglunds with the sun rising was memorable as was the pink dawn on the Royal Society Mountains across McMurdo Sound. A warm cuppa at "McDonalds" was appreciated and a 15 minute drive saw us at the start of the climbing route.
The Hagglunds was parked and the generator hooked up to keep it warm while we were away. The air temperature was around -25 with a 20 knot wind from the south. The ascent began with a careful traverse across some slick ice at the base of a shingle scree. Johno "Pathfinder" Leitch took us up the scree and confidence was inspired at the top when Eric "I've been here three times ya know" Trip exclaimed "this doesn't appear at all familiar!". Sensing that the correct path lay to the south our intrepid explorers tracked left and were rewarded with a view of the cliffed mountain in the distance... a noted landmark.
Spurred on by this, the group headed for the heights using info gathered from the previous day's crew. A more direct track was pioneered and apart from cloud building up over Minna Bluff and a steady wind the day proved to be fine. A few short stops were made for drink and food and the steep shingle slope was slowly scaled. Cloud conditions were deteriorating and tired team members sheltered in the lee of a rock while a saddle further up was checked for wind strength. The 35-40 knot winds at the top were not welcome, nor were the clouds scurrying at low level across the ridge and the decision was made to turn around. As if to confirm the decision, Minna Bluff disappeared as we returned to the sheltered group so it really was time to vacate.
Swiftly the team descended taking a more direct route back to the prominent "Camel" hill, while wind picked up snow, obscuring our destination at times. Tracking around the hill, we descended the scree and slid over the ice back to the Hagglunds. A hot drink and yummy sandwich courtesy of Helen revived spirits, though Steve seems to have missed the bit where it's fun to get OUT of the Hagglunds. The trip home was uneventful and we arrived in time for a well earned dinner at Scott Base.
Several people have expressed an interest to "return" to the mount during a full moon... maybe the hair on the palms of their hands will lend them extra grip?
Americans take their hats off to Scott Base
McMurdo would have been short of hats in the evening of Saturday 28 March. Scott Base threw its Hat Party and about a third of the folks over the hill came along. The evening got off to a slow start with a few other parties happening at MacTown but after about 10pm the ones with the funny accents arrived. The whole thing was pretty laid back and all seemed to have a good time with people drinking, dancing, chatting and doing the coffee thing.
There were flowers, rubbish bin lids, vehicle air cleaners, spaceships, Mickey and friends, I- Beams, spinners, lights, crocodiles, soft tops, Lapp caps, jesters, moose and many more.... some mass produced while others had a lot of work put into them for that personal touch.
Prizes for the night went to Herm's snaky balloon creation (air head?) and the spaceship hat with flashing lights. Consolation prize to the guy with the air filter on his head and the woman with a Viking hat.
The next main Scott Base social event will be the sunset swim in mid April... break out the ice cubes and the birthday suit.
Herm's Heave
Science Tech Herm Binnie spotted a big "it's off the scale" seismic event on the Dry Valley Seismic System chart recorder in the Hatherton Lab. Herm was probably the first in the world to notice this event and commented that it must be reasonably close. It was later confirmed that its centre was near Macquarie Island and was estimated to be about '8' on the Richter Scale.
Herm's press agent, Mork (Kevin Duignan), handled the media aspect of the event, assuring the Radio New Zealand reporter that we hadn't been wiped off the face of the earth "I'll just look out the window!" and no, he hadn't felt it... he was busy climbing mountains yesterday. "Was Herm available?" "No, I'm afraid not, she's busy out climbing mountains today!". See how helpful we can be?
"Is that all you've done? "
In 1976 the NZARP (New Zealand Antarctic Research Programme) erected a new accommodation block at Scott Base with the auspicious name of Q Hut. It was constructed with the finest materials available at the time. The method with which these fine pieces were put together left a little to be desired however, as many an insomniac scientist would testify.
So early this year, Geoff and Kevin (Mork), were invited by Antarctica New Zealand to rectify the problems. They accepted the challenge and eventually found themselves as members of the winter over party for 1998. They received a warm and friendly welcome from the established crew, which was greatly appreciated and allayed any reservations they had re/ gate crashing someone else's party.
After the RNZAF decided the fun had gone out of flying planes down here and took all the remaining summer crew home with them, the demolition of said Q hut could commence. All went swimmingly. There are now three shipping containers parked on the base awaiting return to N.Z. full of little pieces of the interior and some bigger bits as well.
The new improved version required that Q Hut be stripped back to the bare outer shell. From there, the two erection specialists laid a new, and hopefully non-squeaky floor, using a more modern system of steel joists overlaid with ply flooring.
Not to be deterred they ploughed on into the internal framing and second floor, which will house a bigger library and study carrels.
All this was accomplished during the month of March, spurred on heartily by the encouragement of the fellow base members, e.g. "Is that all you've done !", and the threat of turning off the heating! Speaking of that - have you ever wondered what sprinkler pipes and other necessities do when the temperature drops well below freezing? They don't work at all well!
Hopefully, at this rate, "Geoff's Getaway Inn" or "Mork's Motel" will be somewhere near habitable before next season.
Who Said That?
A certain Scott Base personarity seems to bearry manage the Engrish ranguage at times. After a bit of rubrication it has been noted that l's are treated as optionar and the person has a particurar fascination with r's. The l's sometimes lake the prace of t's so it can be difficurl to see what's up his sleeve..... Ain't that right Ruv?
This months profile person is .....
Hi folks I'm Eric, Scott Base's very own friendly Telecom Technician.
· Age: 33
· Height: 185cm
· Weight: 84kg and growing a bit
· Bowling shoe size: That old pair of 10 1/2's
· Eyes: two... kinda green with yellow bits
· Days on Ice: 870 ish (93/94, 95/96, 97/98..?)
· Home Town: Christchurch
I was brought up in Christchurch, my parents having emigrated from Holland in 1960. The fourth of six kids, I had a great childhood baiting my elders and teasing my youngers... I think this rounded me out just nicely. I was the darling younger brother we all know and love.
Educated in Catholic schools I left having completed U.E. and got a "job for life" with the Post Office. As a trainee I was sent to Polytech to complete a Radio Tech's Cert. and later completed Supplementary Cert. I got my NZCE (Telecommunications) in 1986 having done a year's part-time study in Christchurch and two 13 week block courses at the CIT, Heretaunga.
My job for life evaporated with the transition to Telecom. Still, I did a six month stint on the Chatham Islands and subsequent monthly fill-ins while Steve, the tech, went on leave. I found working in a small community suited me. Callum, a friend and workmate, did a year down in Antarctica and I figured "if he can do it... so can I" beginning my sojourns to Scott Base.
In October of 1993 I arrived in a C141 "Starlifter" and was greeted by a great white expanse, frozen nasal hairs, fogged and frosted sunglasses and Callum! Two weeks of intense training and I WAS Mr. Telecom.
My job at Scott Base is basically to keep people in touch. It involves a satellite link, telephone exchange, data processing equipment, handheld radios, their VHF repeaters and UHF links, and HF radio for those hard to get to places. We also have our own radio paging system and homebuilt FM radio station. I did a roaring trade in camera repairs this summer, both film and video, as well as walkpersons and scientific instruments.
I've enjoyed the years I have spent at Scott Base. I've been fortunate enough to travel by helicopter to many places within a 150km radius of the base... it's a tough job and it's just as well that I'm here to do it. There are plenty of activities to get involved in: the Chapel, ten pin bowling, volleyball, soccer, hockey, games and parties, walking and camping, and socialising with the folks from Scott Base and McMurdo. I've had good crews to winter with in the past and this season isn't any exception... we're having a great time.
The seasons seem to fly by and before I know it I'll be back in Christchurch... see you then!
What's HOT and What's NOT
The Gym is HOT when the preway is left 'idling' on '2' for several hours.
Getting up at 1:20 in the morning is NOT. To see just how warm the Gym is. For some people this included a period of getting dressed up and checking the quality of the canned air.
Running outside in your nightshirt, Ug boots, and Ansul extinguisher is NOT. To check that the 3A freezers weren't on fire! Seems to amuse the others though so it wasn't a complete waste.
The Hot Tub IS. This year Mike 'Z' got the sucker up and running and it has been very popular, especially for those Mt. Aurora lactic acid blues.
Working outside is NOT especially when you're hanging from a 20m mast and there's a 20 knot breeze. The temperatures are dropping to around -30 at this time.
Weather Watch
Just so you know what the weather gets up to here, this is a summary for March:
Max temperature: -11.0 o C
Min Temperature: -35.9 o C
Average Temperature: -20.6 o C
Rainfall: 0 mm (again)
Max Wind: 44 kts, NNW
Trivia
Is it true that the favourite song around
Scott Base is the Beatle's "Get Back"? I dunno, maybe
we should ask Steve, Johno, Chris and Geoff.
The Night Carte hard copy compiled and edited by Eric
The Night Carte HTML version edited and posted on the internet by Ray
www.geocities.com/coolrunnernz/
9-3-01