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December 12, 2024
Antarctic Passenger Terminal
Antarctic Passenger Terminal
When we arrived at the USAP facility in Christchurch, we headed to the Antarctic Passenger Terminal where we checked in and dropped off checked bags, just like at a regular airport.
Antarctic Passenger Terminal
Boarding the Plane
Boarding the Plane
We took an LC-130 plane between Christchurch and McMurdo Station. We are required to have all of our ECW (Extreme Cold Weather) gear accessible when boarding the plane.
There were 8 people from IceCube on our flight
Boarding the LC-130 operated by the NY Air National Guard
On Board
On Board
The flight was surprisingly comfortable for being 7-8 hours in these red seats. Being able to stretch your legs and walk around made a big difference.
My seat for the flight!
Cargo pallets being transported with us
All of our carry on bags were strapped down in the middle of the plane. On the right you can see the cargo pallets at the rear of the aircraft.
Visiting the Flight Deck
Visiting the Flight Deck
As we approached Antarctica and started flying over the mountains, the crew let us visit the flight deck. The views were amazing!
View from the flight deck
Me and the flight crew
The VIEWS!!!!
The VIEWS!!!!
Every time I looked out the window there was something new and beautiful. The aerial views felt like I was part of a National Geographic documentary!
Ice chunks floating in the ocean
Mountains
Cool patterns in the snow that look almost like cat scratch marks
Arrival
Arrival
My first footsteps on this amazing continent! We landed at the airfield around midnight, and were shuttled about an hour away to McMurdo Station on a very funny looking red truck.
Arrival in Antarctica!
Shuttle from the airfield to McMurdo Station in a very funny looking red truck.
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