A Trip to Wilks

 After a bit of a rushed last minute calculated pack due to variable weather conditions i am heading off with a group of four on a 8km cross country ski for a overnight stay at Wilkes hut. It is located directly north of Casey and is the site of a original American Base which was passed on to us Aussies. Have not studied the history yet but from what i have been told it over years was abandoned and become buried in ice.

 My fearless fellow adventures from left Lance the trip leader, Johan, and Andy

 I am in good hands as you can see we work as a team to discuss our plan of attack. Conditions have been changing due to the warm weather and the melt so where you may have travelled a week prior may not be achievable now. The other critical thing is to stay away from the ice cliffs sticking to routes that are documentented on our maps and also coded into our GPS unit. It is a credit to our Field Training officer's who have given us this knowledge to be able to navigate and deal with changing environment feeling confident in venturing out and about and being ourselves.

In the distance you can see our little mates going somewhere where we won't . The ice cliffs vary in height from a metre to two hundred metres, if the fall does not kill you the water definitely will.

Finally arrived at our stay for the night after about 4 hours leaving Casey. 

Inside our accommodation for the night has a lot of caricature feel right at home with the bot belly stove and the history can be felt with-in. Have all the creature comforts gas cooking, outside fridge come freezer, plenty of tucker, great  company, a beer and view that  pictures don't give it justice, does not get much better. 

On the way back after a great night out still perfecting my cross country skying heading in the right direction

Killer Whales

 Just cruising along

 I can see why these fella's are in a hurry

 Certainly not hanging around to socialize

 The above photos where taken a couple of days after my burg cruise by Micheal and Tim who happened to come across a Pod of Killer whales. Would have been quite a experience may be next time it is impossible to do it all in a day

Back at Casey wwharf

Wilkins Blue Ice Runway SAR exercise

 On the way from Casey to Wilkins stopped at the Antarctic Circle to stretch the legs.

 Clearing Ice from the SAR Hagglin prior to approaching Wilkins Runway

 The SAR ( search and rescue ) exercise where i had crashed into a grader with me being trapped , Lance my passenger unconscious and the grader driver Briggsey having a sprained ankle. I was still conscious and radioed for help my injuries included broken ribs, collapsed lung, ruptured spleen and a broken leg. Margo is  holding up a fluid bag as they do.

 John and Gary going about there business monitoring me while Kate the doctor is attending too the other victims.

 From the left Kate, John and Margo getting me ready for transport back to Base.

 Loaded up and heading back to Base

Made a incredible recovery thanks to the professional work undertaken by all. The exercise took about 2 hours and was treated like the real deal. Stopped here on the way back to stretch the legs again as the trip is about 70 kilometers and takes about 3 and a half hours in good conditions. The Hagglins are not the most comfortable forms of transport over a long distance bit like being in a tank.

A Half day out at the Skiway thanks to Red

 The Canadian pilots getting there baby ready for flight.

 How pretty is that. My Dad used to fly these Aircraft as a commercial pilot when he was young. Have got lot's more pictures to show you Dad when i get back home. Hope it brings back some good memories as it does for me used sit in the jump seat as a kid when he started flying Foker friendships ( F 27 )

 

A nother day in paradise

 Me on board with Peter the skipper, John, Brenton going on a Iceberg cruise

 Perfect conditions not a breath a wind.

Some Adell penguins having a yak wondering what is all the fuss is about

 This one says i out of hear going for a swim

This one things we are lost thought it would help by giving directions.

 Check out the reflection

 Brad with the hat Amber looking back Simone one of the field training guys and the skip not sure one of the new Winter's

Travelling in style

Christmas

 Pete, Dave ( Hoarse ) and myself getting ready to take Santa from the green store to the red shed starting  our belated celebration of  Christmas. 

 Hear comes Santa

 The 3 master chefs done south top being Margo who takes care of the team at the remote Wilkins runway,middle is Rod ( Rocket ) and Trent. Was truly a amazing day plenty of food, beverages and great company.

 Reckon they could serve up rocks and make them taste good too.

 Margarine sculptures made by Rocket. The picture tells the storey

Hows that for presentation it tasted as good as it looks.
Great effort by all from Gaz building the ice road, to the super slushies, Aimee the event's co-coordinator, Lances choir and of course Santa was a Christmas i will never forget.

Random Phot's

 Moving the new control building for the Wilkins blue ice airstrip some 70km away in preparation for the long haul to it's new home

 A short break on the way to Robo's Hut for the night, a game of cards, a glass of red with John, Lance and Doctor Kev. Learnt to play 500.

 Trent one of the master chefs cooking up a storm. Been getting some tips defeftlatley have broadened my cooking skills