Traveling to and around Antarctica

Here is a summary of questions asked by journal readers and Ms. Ellwood's responses.

Updated Nov. 30, 2006  
Why do you take military air planes everywhere that are uncomfortable instead of hi-tech ones that you can actually sit in and isn't so loud? Also could the regular air planes survive the storms that
happen?

Regular planes aren't made to sustain the severe conditions, and possible conditions, that Antarctica can throw, that's why they use the military planes. Plus - the scientists bring a TON of cargo with them, so flying them onto the continent in cargo planes makes sense. They are starting to fit the C-17s with seat rows like a normal plane. So passengers would sit in front, facing forward
(like normal) and all the cargo would be in the back. That's a start in the right direction! I suspect things will get more and more
comfortable over time. To be honest though - this C-17 flight down to "the ice", although loud, was more comfortable than the flight from Los Angeles, California to New Zealand!

 
How fast does the wind (from the heli) blow when the helicopter comes in?

I don't know what the exact wind speed is from the helos, but I do know that it tries to blow us over! It is hurricane force (but I suspect NOT hurricane 5!). The entire Jamesway rattles. Sand and pebbles get plastered against the buildings. You have to turn away or duck your head so you don't get sand in your eyes!
I was wondering how long you stayed in Auckland New Zealand and how the weather was there.

I was only in Auckland for about 2 hours - and I was at the airport the entire time. I did get to walk outside for a few minutes changing from the international terminal to the domestic terminal.

The weather was sunny and quite warm! I then flew to Christchurch, New Zealand, where I stayed for two nights before deploying to Antarctica. The weather in Christchurch was a bit chilly, but mild.

How long was the flight?

The flight was 5.5 hours. It was really QUITE comfortable this year (although still very loud - even with ear plugs)! The cargo was framework, so although it was big and bulky, we could see through and around it - this made it feel more spacious. The plane wasn't full to capacity with passengers either, so we could spread out and move around fairly easily!

The pilot let us up into the flight deck; that was amazing. The skies near and over Antarctica were quite clear, so the views were spectacular! It was the best flight yet to The Ice. And honestly, except for the noise, it was more comfortable than the Qantas flight from LA to NZ! [See photos for November 7th.]