The last few weeks here at the South Pole have been very busy and festive! We started wet drilling on December 26th. We use a drill fluid (thus the term “wet) to help lubricate the drill and ice and make it easier to extract the ice. The drill fluid also helps to keep the borehole open because at deep depths in the ice sheet, the pressure is incredibly high and will ultimately squeeze the hole we cored shut. The drill fluid has a similar or slightly higher density than the ice and will keep the hole open. As of today, we have reached a depth of 260 meters, about one-third of our season goal of 700 meters! We are also working shifts now. I’m on the 7am – 5pm shift.
Christmas at the South Pole was a blast! On Christmas Day morning, the majority of the station takes part in the “Race Around the World”, a 1.75 mile race outside around the station and surrounding science buildings. Most people dressed up in crazy costumes and the firefighters on station “raced” with all of their bunker gear on! It was definitely an awesome experience. Our Christmas dinner was delicious and a dance party followed.
My birthday also occurred this past week (December 28th). Although I had to work, it was still a fantastic day. My morning started with me walking into the break room at the drill site with birthday decorations and a card signed by many of my station friends! At dinner, I was surprised with a mini-cookie cake made by the baker. All in all, it was a great birthday at the South Pole.
I hope you all had a great holiday week!
Until next time,
Mindy
Christmas at the South Pole was a blast! On Christmas Day morning, the majority of the station takes part in the “Race Around the World”, a 1.75 mile race outside around the station and surrounding science buildings. Most people dressed up in crazy costumes and the firefighters on station “raced” with all of their bunker gear on! It was definitely an awesome experience. Our Christmas dinner was delicious and a dance party followed.
My birthday also occurred this past week (December 28th). Although I had to work, it was still a fantastic day. My morning started with me walking into the break room at the drill site with birthday decorations and a card signed by many of my station friends! At dinner, I was surprised with a mini-cookie cake made by the baker. All in all, it was a great birthday at the South Pole.
I hope you all had a great holiday week!
Until next time,
Mindy