And now we begin...

Arrival brief for today's passengers in the galley (the cafeteria)


Current Conditions:  Con3.  Temp -15ºF (-45ºF with windchill).  Overcast.
Population = 435 

This week, the number of people on base will approximately double.  Yesterday, 30 or so people flew in on an Airbus (and about 20 left).  Today, 100 are arriving on a 757 and tomorrow, another 100.  Next week, more planes will land (probably C130's), as long as the weather holds up.  These arrivals mark the beginning of the research season, the end of much of the prep work and, lamentably, the near-collapse of the internet (in that regard, I will try to have an automated email sent out when new blogs go up).

The first research of the season takes place on the sea ice.  Early October is still quite cold (note temp above).  That's good for the diving and seal teams.  The ice will continue to harden so the fish huts and heavy vehicles can safely traverse across it.  To the divers, the air temperature is not a concern.  It can be -40ºF outside, but it's still going to be 30ºF in the water and 70ºF in the hut.  When the ice starts to deteriorate in late November, though, the ocean-focused researchers head home.  




Then, the land-based researchers come in.  The average daily high temperature at McMurdo in early October is still around -1ºF and the average daily low is -12ºF.  Not great weather for tenting.  In November and December, these values rise by about 30 degrees F.  That's quite a difference when you're out working in the field.  

For us, the arrival of all these people means four things:
  1. The co-arrival of viral illnesses from the mainland
  2. More people in the clinic--both patients and staff
  3. Lots of training of field camp personnel.
  4. Mass casualty training (MCI) and exercises
The last of these consumes a disproportionate amount of our time (particularly Dean's).  A mass casualty is the NSF's nightmare and they don't let us forget it.  More about that later.




Comments

Upi said…
Loving reading these! Are you happy to see more people? Or just more work for all of you? When will the crud arrive?
October 8, 2019 at 9:32 PM
JP said…
I felt resentful when people intruded on "my space" (like where I hang my coat) and forced me to wait in line for the cafeteria.  It feels kind of chaotic.  On the other hand,a lot of the people have led such interesting lives.  Just now, I met a new hazardous waste worker who happens to be a flight nurse from California.  Then there's the strikingly beautiful,  stand-up comic, TV producer, lawyer who is working as an admin person. I'm sure I'll settle in to the new state of the base.
The crud will probably begin by the weekend after an incubation period or two.
October 8, 2019 at 10:07 PM
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