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Eat and be healthy!
During the planning of the traverse, it emerged quite early on that we should take along some food. In fact this was the first, and I believe the only proposal forwarded by any participant that was totally agreed upon. Not that we have had a high level of disagreement between us, but this single proposal was met with absolute, complete and unreserved support.
Location: Recovery Lake “B”, northern part, 82º 37’ S, 17º 52’ E
Weather: All clear, -25 C, wind 8 kts
For the first part of the traverse, the 2007-2008 season, the Norwegian side supplied the provisions. Most were acquired in Norway and shipped to Troll Station in the autumn of 2006. The bulk of the provisions and all heavy equipment was shipped down a year in advance, as the traverse itself would start too early in the following spring for any ship to get in to the ice shelf.
All dinners for the traverse were precooked with assistance from the cook at Troll Station. This would allow for easy preparation on the traverse; just reheating and addition of trimmings, sauces etc. The food was packaged in airtight plastic bags in portions for 12 persons, and frozen. Later, en route, we would just thaw out the food while still sealed, heat the bag in hot water, open and serve. This was intended to spare us the roasting and frying and simplify the cooking, and it worked really well. Usually we spent less than an hour to prepare dinner for 12 persons. The meat or fish was served with rice, pasta or mashed potatoes, boiled vegetables, sauce or gravy. Normally we had fish twice a week; this was kept raw and boiled on aluminium foil in the oven.
For this season, 2008-2009, the American side would provide the food. One of the Americans was quite impressed with the cooking and preparations the previous season, and wanted to have it similarly organised for season 2. I was asked to prepare the provisions lists for the season, and did so together with Lou. Most of the food was supplied by McMurdo Station. The dinners were prepared in the McMurdo galley, vacuum-packed and frozen. What could not be provided by McMurdo Station, was acquired by the Norwegian Polar Institute in Christchurch. This was mainly the bread and boxes suitable for packing.
The preparations in McMurdo took several days, but we benefit greatly from them now. Food that is easy to prepare, tasty and satisfying means everything when we are working hard 12 hours a day in this cold environment.
Packing of provisions in McMurdo, expedition style. The food is being distributed between one-week boxes. Photo: Einar Johansen/NPI
