Lake Fryxell ice is my nemesis! It is truly a formidable opponent! Not only is it incredibly thick, but it is quite tricky to maneuver around on. The moat area is nice and smooth, then there is a treacherous ring of upheaved ice and gravel just inside the moat. Once we reach the inner part of the lake, it becomes manageable again. It's as if the lake is trying to keep us off! It's hard to imagine, but one never knows whether one's footing will hold underneath them or not. If your foot goes through, it doesn't usually go very far, but it is quite startling and jarring; usually ending with knees being slammed against jagged ice. This is not particularly pleasant! I can manage the walking incidents, but the ATV gets a little more intense - I never know if what I'm driving on is going to hold or collapse. Again - it won't collapse far, but it is startling and jarring! Plus, the ATV gets stuck quite easily! I believe we have found safe passage to the inner part of the lake, so hopefully the driving will get easier!
We have a new dive hole in a new location and it's a beauty! We will be diving in the new spot tomorrow. Peter made one last dive in our original hole and managed to get a sample from the bottom of the lake below the hole. He was in the sulfide layer for several minutes, so he was a bit stinky when he came back up. He even swam around in the fresh water just below the hole for a few minutes. He jokingly radioed up to us that he was in the "rinse cycle"! It helps to have a sense of humor!
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Will this ice hold or will it fall through - hard telling!
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One of my better driving moments... well, not really! The ATV fell through.
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Trying to gain some leverage to pull out the "buggy"! Ian and Kay had to come and help push, but we got it out.
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The ice can also be amazingly beautiful and soothing.
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The ice also makes great little "cubbies" for resting... now try driving or walking on it!
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I'm talking to Peter, who is diving, and telling him that his line stinks! (from being in the sulfide layer)
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The prize from the hole! Peter holds his sample that he obtained from the bottom. Information obtained from this sediment core will hopefully help Peter answer some of his questions. It sure took a lot of effort to get it! That's one of my favorite parts about being here. People are so dedicated and determined to learn. The perseverance in spite of the obstacles is inspiring.
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Our new dive area.The equipment to the right is the "hotsy," the generator and some fuel barrels. The generator powers the hotsy which pumps hot glycol through a closed system of tubes to melt the ice. No glycol gets into the lake, it is all contained within the tubes. The tent will be an area to store equipment and to get inside out of the cold! The orange boxes are simply packing boxes for the dive tanks.
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Now that's a hole!
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There was better lighting on Mt. Erebus this evening, so I took another picture. Enjoy the view!
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