January 7, 2008
WAIS Divide camp Antarctica

Time: 6 am
Latitude: 79° 28.10’ S
Longitude: 112° 3.56’ W
Elevation: 1820 m (5919’)
Ice core: 285 cm (~8‘)
Temperature: -13 °C ( 9°F)
Wind speed: 9 km/h (5 mp/h)
Wind Chill: Visibility: 7 km (4.2 miles) Clouds: clearing, high stratus
Wind direction: N/NE
Relative Humidity: 67%
Barometric Pressure: steady
Precipitation: 0, lots of frost last night
Breakfast: Leftovers
Lunch: Leftovers
Supper: Leftovers


I just spoke about Hoar Frost yesterday and after a fantastic sunny day yesterday, the fog and frost set in after midnight. Today was so foggy it reminded me of a day on the ocean by my house. Visibility was poor but it was a day off anyway. The big event today was our Winter Olympics which included a team Nordic-cross skiing event, a Nansen sled pull, bamboo flag javelin toss, a three-legged race, a 6-hole mini golf course, and curling – with candy corn. The olympics took the better part of the afternoon and we had most people in camp participating in events. The rest of the day was spent reading, watching movies, and just relaxing. I had House Mouse at lunch but with left-overs for meals and people wandering in and out at any time it was a really easy job. Ken and I did a little filming but all in all it was a relaxing day. I am almost glad it was foggy and not sunny so that I did not feel compelled to be outside all day working.

Tomorrow we start two shifts of ice core processing. We are anxious to get a lot of ice and as there is not a lot of time left in this season. Some of us we will flying off the continent before the end of January.

Today’s image is of the Hoar Frost as it collects on tent guidelines and on the ground (my boot under the edge for contrast).