Ice and Initiation

Monday 20th December 2010
Lat: 70 24.95S

We are at the ice shelf! Can you believe it? This time last year we were still battling through the high seas! And on Christmas day we were stuck in the ice! I cannot believe the difference weather conditions make to such an expedition. Neptune has truly been kind to us, our seas have been calm and only a few lines of ice marched out to meet us before we entered a polinya. Looking at the satellite imagery - if we had had to aim west of Penguin Bukta we would be battling through fields of thick ice.

There is pack ice around the ice shelf, so we are waiting for the Polar Stem to meet us and break through the ice for us so that we can offload into the shelf. He (an icebreaker, therefore male) should arrive tomorrow.

Initiation occurred today. Having been given my dose of initiation last year, and hence carrying immunity, I acted as paparazzi - and for my pains came a cropper on the deck, twice. Thank you to the padding of polar gear! I never thought I'd ever say this, but I think I prefer being initiated than watching it happen to others.  But the general camaraderie was there and the build up with the bears (Neptune's minions) entering the boat the night before was fantastic. The crew retaliated by all locking their doors - unfortunately for them, Neptune has access to the master key. They were softer on everyone this year (both male and females were submerged fewer times than the equivalent of last year's). Both the sea and air temperatures were also warmer and you couldn't see any ice. The mood of the entire ship was lifted as everyone recounts (and exaggerates) their experiences. Now, having crossed the polar circle, we are all truly in the same boat.