An explanation

We're still in Christchurch.  Here's why.
At the US Bases in Antarctica, weather conditions are categorized in one of three ways:

• Con One: Visibility is less than 100 feet, wind is greater than 55 knots or temperature with wind chill is less than -100 degrees F.  In con one, all personnel are under lockdown, restricted to their buildings.  To change buildings--i.e., to go 20 yards from dorm to clinic to care for a patient--the fire department picks you up and escorts you.  People get lost trying to get between buildings.
• Con Two:  Wind speed is between 48 and 55 knots and visibility is less the 1/4 mile but greater than 100 feet.  Wind chill may be between -75 and -100 degrees F.  There are work restrictions.  You can walk between buildings but can't go out on trails alone, even on base, and must tell the fire department where you are going if you plan something besides walking between buildings.
• Con Three:  Weather is good (or close to good).  There are no restrictions on work or travel. You can go around McMurdo and its close-in trails without checking in with Fire Department.  You're still expected to carry your extreme cold weather gear even if you don't need to wear it.  Weather changes quickly.

McMurdo has been at con 1 or con 2 for the last 10 days.   They also are at winter staffing levels so the base has only one airfield management team.  Although there have been breaks in the weather when planes could have landed, the airfield crew hasn't had enough time to maintain the ice runway free of snow.  With only one team, they can only work nine hours a day (if that) rather than around the clock.  Ironically, the people who are supposed be going down in the first plane are largely airfield management crew who are meant to help ramp up the airfield capabilities.

Emergency bag contents:  ground pads, tent, two sleeping bags, tent stakes, liquid-fuel stove with two containers of fuel, cookware, shovel, ice saw, freeze-dried food for three days, various instruction manuals, extra mittens, hats, manuals

Fortunately for us, some of our time has been spent in training for cold weather.  Yesterday, we had a half-day of instruction by a wonderful wilderness expert. There were sessions on hypothermia, frostbite, cold water immersion, situational awareness, risk assessment, and getting out the field by helicopter.  We also learned about the emergency bags that have to be carried anywhere off base; they contain enough for two people to live in Antarctic field conditions for three days.  Then, we practiced using the liquid-fuel stoves and pitching tents in simulated adverse weather conditions.  I learned a ton, although given my specific job, I doubt I will need to use any of it.

So we're here for at least another three days. We had a nice hike this morning and are taking the Tranzalpine train to the West Coast tomorrow.

Rapaki Track, Christchurch (foreground) and Southern Alps