A Perfect Day for Boating

From the middle of September, the weather forecasts had been scrutinised everyday to find good conditions for boating. A number of important items had to be delivered or picked up from the huts down island. Then all the weather systems lined up to produce a day that was perfect for boating.

The evening of the 19th saw a very bright full moon. This was accompanied by light wind conditions and a mostly clear sky.

Photo experiment on a full moon night, after 10pm. This 25 second time exposure shows a clear night with the landscape lit up by moonlight and hundreds of stars visible

The beautiful, calm clear night was a prelude of the conditions for the next day.

Marine debris cleanup #2

On this small island in the vast expanse of the Southern Ocean, it never ceases to amaze me that so much rubbish is washed up on these beautiful coastline and beaches. Every expeditioner on Macca has a duty to pick up any bit of marine debris that they see.

In my last two posts A Walk in the Park Part 1 and Part 2 I took you on a journey down the west coast to be part of the Bauer Bay cleanup. In late August I teamed up with Clive and Chris to once again take part in the monthly Bauer Bay cleanup. As you will see we did this task and very much more.

The first picture is a the results in part of our combined efforts.

Clive and I at Bauer Bay hut with some of the marine debris that we picked up from the west coast

A Walk in the Park - Part 2

From the previous post A Walk in the Park - Part 1 Clive and I had arrived at Bauer Bay hut after an idyllic walk from station along the west coast in near perfect conditions.
After a great nights sleep in the hut. Chris baked the beautiful multi grain/seed loaf which we eagerly consumed for breakfast and morning tea.

After a relaxing morning we set upon the task at hand - the Bauer Bay cleanup of marine debris.

Gentoo penguins at Bauer Bay

A Walk in the Park - Part 1

Macquarie Island achieved World Heritage listing in 1997. It has been a privilege to be here and experience the wonderful nature, geology, wildlife and beauty of this place.

I have been lucky enough to venture down island on several occasions. The most recent time was 2 weeks ago when Clive the doctor and myself ventured down the west coast 'featherbed' to Bauer Bay to assist Chris the ranger in the monthly marine debris clean up.

Leaving station - the view down the east coast from the isthmus

The Deep Freeze

This post continues on from the previous two.
As mentioned in the last post The Fabulous Furious Fifties the weather systems zoom across Macquarie Island at a fast pace.

In the last week of July we experienced a sustained, very cold blast.
We are in the zone for extreme conditions. In saying this the temperatures on Macquarie island don't vary that much, because of the moderating effect of the surrounding ocean. On many days the 24 hour temperature variation is only in the order of 1°C to 2°C.

Looking south across Buckles Bay at the frozen landscape - a snow shower is moving in from the southwest 

The Fabulous Furious Fifties

My workplace on Macquarie is a 250 metre walk from Hasselborough House (accommodation). Before I leave, I look out my window to see what the weather is like. This, and a quick read of the days forecast, helps me decide what extra clothes or gear I should take for the walk to work.

My basic everyday attire is thermal underwear, thick long socks, Work pants (Hard Yakka), a T-shirt, beanie and full length gum boots. I also bring or wear my wind and rain proof gortex jacket.
Some days I need thick gloves, an extra layer or two of clothes and a torch.

The weather changes so quickly, so one should be prepared for every situation.

Last Friday, when I looked out the window I could see it was very windy - this made the short 250 metre walk very interesting. With my jacket fully zipped, so that only my eyes were exposed. The wind was that fierce - I was buffeted around and had work hard to keep on my feet. Also the sand blasted into the small exposed gaps in my 'armour' stinging my face.

Workmate Aaron, trying to measure the wind alongside Razorback Ridge

Winter has arrived

Last Saturday, we at Macquarie Island celebrated Mid-Winters day. This is one of the most important days on the Antarctic calendar. It is almost universally celebrated at all nations Antarctic communities.
It celebrates the winter solstice, which this year occurred at precisely 05:04 UTC on the 21st of June.

This post celebrates winter and the images reflect this theme.

Dreaming of the summer