Ice Climbing

The view from the top of the ice cliff near old Wilkes station

The Gang preparing to have a bit of fun

Belaying for the climber with Tyrone the wizard covering as back up in case i let go

My turn

Coming down a lot quicker than going up

Was a great day has broaden my horizons of seeking a bit of adventure. Can see why people want to climb mountains good exercise, great views, sensational company and it gets the old sphinka meter going.

Winterising Wilkins international blue ice runway infrucstucture

 Last week went to Wilkins runway some 70km from Casey Station from Monday till Thursday night to prepare buildings for the big winter sleep after the final departure flight of the Airbus.

This included disconnection of electrical reticulation, decommissioning of plumbing, relocation of existing camp buildings to a elevated position,  transport of plant and some buildings back to Casey.

We where blessed with the weather until Thursday in which we nearly completed the task in blizzard conditions.

With the plumbing all water and waste tanks had to be drained with lines and pumps cleared of liquid via compressed air to prevent the ice forming which would expand causing damage.

 A view of the camp from the hill with the apron of the runway in the foreground just above the roof tops.
The runway had already started to disappear under the cover of snow.

A D7  dozzer getting ready for action in the foreground are the new buildings constructed this year nearing completion for a more structured operation next season. They include a workshop, a two storey control tower , a kitchen with  mess adjacent and toilet facilities with recreational room on a upper level.

 Clearing snow so the buildings can be moved.

One of the smaller accommodation buildings on the move.

 Up on the hill unloading from the case tractor more accommodation for there winter sleep. On the top right hand corner in the distance is the camp site. If the structures where left down on the flat they would be engulfed with snow and ice and eventually be buried and become inhabitable.

The Cat challenger with dual trailer picking up rubbish and other items to be returned back to Casey station.

Running out of time with the weather the only planed building that required to be moved we could not due to the firm grip of the ice buildup. With Case tractor pulling and the dozzer pushing did not make any impression. The plan was decided to come back later with balloon jacks to break the grip.

Thursday morning sunrise looked like it was going to be a nice day but that soon changed.

 The case tractor  and low loader trailer with dozzer, and ute ready to head back. These tractors tow a 90 ton proof roller up and down the runway during the season testing the runway for it's strength.

Driving in a convoy in the middle of no where relying totalling on the navigation skills via a GPS. At times the visibility was barely 20 metres with wind gusting 65knots.

Arriving just short of Casey Station unloading some of the sleds as the snow and ice build up is not enough yet on Station to accommodate. The trip took 5hours to travel 70km due to the weather it was a amazing experience.

Some more of Nature

Life is good just having a sun bake

What do you want

 Looking a bit sad

Attending to the children

Just finished a meal

 Off to get more food for the children

 I am going this way

 Big mistake something tried to eat me

 And here it is

Not much left now

Looking for some more

A Trip to Jacks Dong'a

 Have just been dropped off about 5km up the hill from Casey by the the ground crew heading of to the skiway.

Off we go for about a 7 km ski to Jacks Dong'a

 The view heading down the hill to our destination. Not being used to cross country ski's and with the icy snow combined with the steep incline and trying to stay ahead of my sled i was hanging on barely in control. That is our accommodation for the night on the left and the toilet on the right.

 Having a beer taking in the view standing on the moraine. The whole area was moving you could hear water running below the rocks with large boulders disappearing down holes closer to the cliff face. Occasionally in the distance the sound of falling pieces of ice falling into the ocean could be heard. Some of them we could see others out of view in the bay evidence was clear by a wave in the water that was created.

 A pair of birds fling past.

 The thunder box

A view inside all very well organised. It was the most spacious toilet cubicle i have had the simple pleasure of passing on what i had eaten the day before.

 How is that for a view no need to rush you could take all day if you wanted.

 Having a feed with a wine. From left to right that is Bec, Colin, Dylan and myself at the back. Learnt a new game a cards that night had the happening tunes going more wine and finally slept like a baby

 A bit colder on the way back the next day. Had a distance of about 11 km to get back to station and with the melt streams had to pick our course to avoid getting wet.

Nearly back stopped to have a bite to eat, re-hydrate, and have a chat about our plan of attack.

The things we do for fun

 This is Gaz ( Maso ) our grand master who organised this event called a Hash run. Has nothing to do with smoking those funny cigarettes. It is a running event that happens around the world that is used as a tool to raise money for charity and just have some healthy fun.

 Don with the blue shirt is explaining the rules and briefing on the signs that have been left marking out the route we where to run. It was all a bit confusing a bit like a treasure hunt finding signs but with-out a map. 

 Going toe to toe my 3 steps to his 1. 

Catching up

The gang after the finish.
Time to have a beer.
Was a lot of fun and lead on to a great night of celebration