Photos from the 2013/14 Antarctic Season

Just a few photos from the past six weeks of flying at McMurdo Station.

Mill-van Mall in Christchurch, NZ 

Earthquake damaged cathedral in downtown Christchurch

Sumner

Sumner Beach w/ lifeboat in action

Boarding the Herc for McMurdo

Offloading in McMurdo

McMurdo
Heliport

Taylor Valley

On Lake Bonney

Repeater retrieval in Moore's Bay

Lake Bonney Camp

Taylor Glacier

USCG Icebreaker Polar Star off Marble Point

Slinging Fuel Hose

Prepping Loads

Sea Ice

Ross Ice Shelf edge at Cape Crozier

Waiting at Crozier

McMurdo Station looking north

Gusts to 40kts

Mount JJ Thompson

Kiwi repeater at Mt. Cerberus

Goodye McMurdo!

Today is my last day in Antarctica.  I took a short hike up Observation Hill to say goodbye.  Notice the cargo vessel at the ice pier and the open water all around.  It is time to go!

Last fly day of the season!

That's it!  Today we're finished flying.  Time to clean up, pack up, and go home.

Here's the crew (minus the mechanics)

One last flight with Jack

Today likely marks the last flight of Jack Hawkins' long helicopter career.  Jack began flying with the military in Vietnam.  For the past 16 years, he has headed up the helicopter support effort in McMurdo.  Today, we're flying a group of distinguished military visitors on a flightseeing tour.  They're getting to see the sights and Jack is saying goodbye to his backyard.  Here are some highlights:

Beacon Valley

VXE-6 Icefalls

Lake Vanda, look closely for the hut.

The Labyrinth

Jack and Nick at Cape Evans

Just a few scenics

Victoria Valley Dunes 

Koetlitz Glacier

Sea Ice near Marble Point

A sling load arrives at MacTown