Location: Camp Winter, 86 deg 48'S, 54 deg 25'E
Elevation: 3151 m
Weather: -32C, 15 kts

Chinook had a few extra issues, which brought it back in to the workshop. But Kjetil, Svein and Rune got it squared away. After test driving all of the vehicles for a few tens of kilometers, it was important to bring them back in for their first oil change with the new drivelines.  Many of the new parts can have sharp corners or metal filings on them, and it is important to flush out all debris that wears off and gets into the oil.  Today, they have been working on the last of the oil changes and servicing the generators for the season ahead.  Although we have spent a few extra days here, it should save us time later as everything will be starting in excellent working order.  On the science front, Zoe and Tom finished up the last few measurements in the snow pit and pa  cked up the science tent and science gear.  We hope to be on the trail at some point on Sunday.

The other big change the last few days has been the weather.  We had a few days of strong winds (20 to 25 knots), and after the wind abated, the temperature had warmed from -38c all the way up to -32c.  Spring has arrived!  We had been waiting for the warmer weather, and it does feel warmer out.  Well, relatively warmer.  But it does make working outside that much more bearable.

Soon we will be leaving Camp Winter; the site will quickly drift over and no trace of our work here will be visible in a few days or weeks.  The only record of our visit will be the coordinates on a map, the ice cores and snow samples we collected, and our pictures of the work.

Strapping fuel drums to one of the sledges. Photo: Tom Neumann.