new zealand
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Flying From Civilization To Nowhere – New Zealand to Antarctic Field Camp
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Flying to Antarctica is an adventure in itself. Here’s a brief collection of clips during my 2014-2015 flights from Christchurch, New Zealand, through McMurdo Station, and finally ending up at the West Antarctic Ice Sheet Divide Field Camp – WAIS Divide. Both airplanes are LC-130 Hercules, operated by the New York Air National Guard 109th…
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New Zealand’s Antarctic Outpost: Scott Base
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Just over the hill from US-run McMurdo Station is New Zealand’s Scott Base, part of the New Zealand Antarctic Programme. The base serves as the center of New Zealand’s Antarctic Operations, and is a pleasure to visit. Every Thursday night, Scott Base’s bar, “The Tatty Flag” hosts USAP participants for “American Night”. Shuttles from McMurdo…
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Exploring Christchurch, New Zealand
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During transit to Antarctica, I had a brief afternoon of free time in Christchurch, New Zealand. Amidst a few errands, here are three shots taken from around town:
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Life In The Mountains: Staying at the Mueller Hut, Mt. Cook, New Zealand
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For my final outing in New Zealand, after a brief stay on the valley floor at Mt. Cook Village, I made the short but steep trek up to the Mueller Hut. The hike up to the hut is steep. Very steep. After an hour long stroll along the valley floor, there’s an 1800 stair staircase…
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Basking On The Valley Floor Beneath Mt. Cook, New Zealand
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The final stop in New Zealand was Mt. Cook Village, at the base of Mt. Cool. My stop here was only two days, but in those two days I got a good taste of the spectacular beauty of the region. My first of two nights was spent at the YHA Backpackers Hostel, which was extremely…
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A Brief Stop In Queenstown, New Zealand
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Adventure number two in New Zealand was exploring the party and extreme sports capital of New Zealand’s South Island, Queenstown. Waking up at Haka Lodge in Christchurch, Cinthia and I made a valiant effort to make it to our bus down south. Unfortunately we missed it by a hair, and had to try again the…
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Tramping at Arthurs Pass, New Zealand
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After returning from work in Antarctica, I immediately started the off-ice adventuring. Despite needing a bit of a break back in civilization, I decided to go with astrophysiscists Eric Leitch and Kyle Story on a quick 3 day backpacking trip up at Arthurs Pass, a short distance away from Christchurch. A few pics of…
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Departing Antarctica: McMurdo to Christchurch
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And finally, my last flight off the ice, aboard a C-17, from McMurdo Station, Antarctica to Christchurch, New Zealand.
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Exploring Christchurch, New Zealand
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After a long flight from Denver to Christchurch, I finally arrived and had a moment to rest, explore, and prepare for the next leg of the journey to Antarctica. I stayed at the Elms Hotel, accompanied by a group of about 20 other scientists and support contractors. Although we did have a lot of gear…