12-18-99
	Latitude	77.91 S to 43 N
	Longitude	166.39 E to 77 W
	Temperature	getting warmer
	Wind Speed	-
	Wind Direction	going north
	Meters of ice collected	total= 175 meters (~530 feet)
	Notes on daily life	As we travel back to the states we are excited knowing that we will soon be back with family and friends. We want to thank everyone who followed the US ITASE expedition for their constant support. There were dozens of terrific questions posted on the web and we enjoyed communicating with school groups around the country. We had a very successful expedition and though it may take years to unravel all the data we accumulated this year we are energized by the possibilities of what we will uncover in the ice and snow samples. What we learned this year on US ITASE 1999 has created more questions for us to ponder back at our respective institutes and help us to better prepare for US ITASE 2000. Thanks again for all your support and stay tuned to the ITASE website for further developments as we prepare for our next field season in Antarctica starting in October of 2000.
12-17-99
	Latitude	77.51 S
	Longitude	166.39 E
	Temperature	-4 C (25 F)
	Wind Speed	12 knots (13 mph)
	Wind Direction	NW
	Meters of ice collected	-
	Notes on daily life	The weather in McMurdo is warm and sunny and very spring like. You can actually work outdoors in a T-shirt. The scenery and relief of McMurdo is impressive compared to the flatness of Byrd camp and the interior of Antarctica. The airplane runway has been switched from the sea ice runway to the ice shelf runway because the sea ice will soon be breaking up. All of the repacking is finished since much of the gear was stowed at Byrd camp until next year. Everyone seems to have lost a little weight and will see how much they can put back on in the few remaining days at McMurdo. The plane is scheduled to leave McMurdo on the 20th of December.
12-16-99
	Latitude	77.51 S
	Longitude	166.39 E
	Temperature	-3 C (26 F)
	Wind Speed	5 knots (5 mph)
	Wind Direction	S
	Meters of ice collected	in McMurdo
	Notes on daily life	The ITASE team has arrived in McMurdo. The flight the night before from Byrd camp was on time. Everyone is glad to be back in McMurdo. The team will be involved with repacking equipment and samples to be sent back to the United States. Hopefully they will leave McMurdo station soon but for now everyone is enjoying the showers and a well deserved short break.
12-15-99
	Latitude	80 S
	Longitude	120 W
	Temperature	-19 C (-2 F)
	Wind Speed	9 knots (11 mph)
	Wind Direction	NE
	Meters of ice collected	leaving Byrd camp tonight
	Notes on daily life	The expedition is coming to a quick end! Tonight a flight is schedule to pick up the team at Byrd camp and take them back to McMurdo station. Currently, the weather is fair and they are anticipating any flight delay. Some equipment has been stowed at Byrd for the next three ITASE expeditions. Everything else is packed and sitting around waiting to be loaded on to the plane. With their fingers crossed, the team should be deciding between hot showers, cafeteria dining, and an indoor nap at McMurdo in the next 24 hours.
12-14-99
	Latitude	80 S
	Longitude	120 W
	Temperature	-12 C (14 F)
	Wind Speed	calm
	Wind Direction	NE
	Meters of ice collected	0 (back at Byrd)
	Notes on daily life	The day after the celebratory "return to Byrd camp" dinner has been filled with packing, unpacking, and more packing. The plane ride to McMurdo has been scheduled for Wednesday. Everything is in good order for the return flight. Currently, the weather is cooperating for a flight and as long as it holds the team should be basking in the relative warmth of the Antarctic coast by Wednesday. The only complaint about the trip from camp 1 to Byrd was that Cadbury chocolates were in short supply but Steve and Bert with their radar helped provide safe passage (Steve's great stories also helped pass the time).
12-13-99
	Latitude	80S
	Longitude	120W
	Temperature	-12C (8F)
	Wind Speed	15 knots (17 mph)
	Wind Direction	north
	Meters of ice collected	0 (back at Byrd)
	Notes on daily life	ITASE team made it back to Byrd camp with no problems on the return trip. Everything going well. Preparing gear, ice cores, and snow samples for departure to McMurdo station. Celebratory dinner after we return to Byrd camp.
12-12-99
	Latitude	80.6S
	Longitude	121W
	Temperature	-10 C (12 F)
	Wind Speed	15 knots (16 mph)
	Wind Direction	NE
	Meters of ice collected	0 on the move
	Notes on daily life	Left Camp Two yesterday morning. Nearly at Camp One. Will collect stored ice cores and snow samples. On towards Byrd Camp. The weather remains cloudy with blowing snow as we travel. Hope to be at Byrd Camp tomorrow night. Steve has kept us entertained with his stories.
12-11-99
	Latitude	81.12 S
	Longitude	126.47 W
	Temperature	-12 C
	Wind Speed	13 knots (15 miles per hour)
	Wind Direction	NNE
	Meters of ice collected	175 meters total (540 feet)
	Notes on daily life	On the road again. The ITASE team has saddled up, packed up, and is on their way back to Byrd camp. Yesterday they drilled and collected another 30 meters (90 feet) of ice. Paul and team are very happy with their success this year which amounts to about 175 meters (540 feet) of ice core, about 500 snow samples, new meteorological data, and new ice radar data. After they finished drilling yesterday the team stayed up very late and packed all their gear to prepare for today’s departure. The trip back to Byrd camp, which is about 180 kilometers (100 miles) away, will take them 2-3 days traveling at less than 10 kilometers (6 miles) an hour. At that rate they should arrive at Byrd camp by Monday. The weather is overcast with blowing snow for the 180 kilometer (100 mile) trek. The plan is to camp at the first coring site, recover some ice cores that they buried in the snow, and then make the last push to Byrd camp the next day.
12-10-99
	Latitude	81.12 S
	Longitude	126.47 W
	Temperature	-5 C (approx. 20 F)
	Wind Speed	10 knots (approx. 10 mph)
	Wind Direction	NNE
	Meters of ice collected	20 meters (60 ft) yesterday
	Notes on daily life	More good ice. The ITASE is well and healthy as they complete drilling today at their present location. The big event today was a direct iridium phone interview with Av Harris at New Hampshire Public Radio's All Things Considered. The team will finish drilling today and prepare for the return trip to Byrd camp tomorrow. The 180 kilometers (approximately 100 miles)to Byrd camp will take about two full days traveling at less than 10 kilometers per hour (6 miles per hour). The weather remains great with partly sunny skies and only a slight breeze.
12-9-99
	Latitude	81.12 S
	Longitude	126.47 W
	Temperature	-6 C
	Wind Speed	12 knots
	Wind Direction	NNE
	Meters of ice collected	15 meters +55 more tomorrow
	Notes on daily life	Drill on! The team has now collected 92 meters of ice and many snow samples. Everyone remains in high spirits and excellent health as they prepare to drill another 50+ meters of ice today. The Automatic Weather Station (AWS) at their present location, which transmits weather data automatically everyday to the United States, sits in a small natural depression about 34 meters deep on the ice surface. Using the ice penetrating radar system, that Bert and Bob developed, the team has determined that beneath the AWS unit are 1,600 meters of ice and a 134 meters depression in the bedrock surface. That means that the shallow depression on the glacier's surface is caused by a depression in the land surface, 1,600 meters away under the glacier- amazing stuff!
12-8-99
	Latitude	81.12 S
	Longitude	126.47 W
	Temperature	-8 C
	Wind Speed	8 knots
	Wind Direction	NNE
	Meters of ice collected	16 meters, 92 meters total
	Notes on daily life	This location may be the last drilling site for US ITASE for this year. The weather is finally cooperating but the time is running short. Under partly cloud skies with a wind chill of -22, Mike, Paul, Mark, and Bob drilled 16 more meters of ice. Tyler and Joe also dug and sampled a new snow pit. Gordon continued to collect Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) system data while Bert continued collecting data with his radar. The new location is "as flat and featureless as the last drill site." The team plans to stay at their present location for a few more days. The schedule has them home before Christmas so they are busy collecting all the data they can while they are in the field.
12-7-99
	Latitude	Approx. 84 S
	Longitude	Approx. 124 W
	Temperature	0 C
	Wind Speed	very slight
	Wind Direction	NE
	Meters of ice collected	76 total
	Notes on daily life	Arrived at Swithenbank: ice drilling location #2. After a long 16-hour travel day, during which they covered 90 kilometers, the team established camp. During the trip it was snowing big beautiful snow crystals. This morning it is sunny with little or no breeze. Tyler was able to stand around in his T-shirt while transmitting today's report. Everyone else is still asleep at 9 am after such a long trip yesterday. Snow samples and ice cores will be collected at this location for the next few days. After that, it is on to the next location.
12-6-99
	Latitude	80.37 S
	Longitude	122.37 W
	Temperature	-
	Wind Speed	-
	Wind Direction	-
	Meters of ice collected	76 meters total
	Notes on daily life	On the move to the next ice coring location. Information about the trip to follow.
12-5-99
	Latitude	80.37 S
	Longitude	122.37 W
	Temperature	-3 C
	Wind Speed	15-18 knots
	Wind Direction	NE
	Meters of ice collected	36 meters yesterday (52 total)
	Notes on daily life	Most members of the team were involved in drilling yesterday's additional 36 meters of ice which will be used for ice chemistry analysis. Steve and Bert continued to work on their radar system. They have recorded layers of ice that are continuous across the entire 90 kilometer distance from Byrd camp. Their ground radar system has provided additional information to that already gained from the satellite ice penetrating radar systems.
12-4-99
	Latitude	80.37 S
	Longitude	122.37 W
	Temperature	-3 C
	Wind Speed	20 knots, gusts to 40 knots
	Wind Direction	NE
	Meters of ice collected	16 meters total
	Notes on daily life	Under overcast skies with blowing and drifting snow, the ITASE team continues to drill ice cores and take snow samples. The permeability experiment work for the Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory in Hanover, NH were finished yesterday. At a temperature of -3 C it is almost too warm to drill but with the limited time left the drilling must go on. Gordon did additional Global Positioning Satellite system work while Bert continued taking radar measurements. Though it was very overcast with limited visibility, Tyler and Joe tried skiing in their big snow boots and mountaineering skis. Since the terrain is so flat, they thought that skiing might be a good diversion from their other work. It turns out that skiing in that equipment proved to be more trouble than it was worth.
12-4-99
	Latitude	80.37 S
	Longitude	122.37 W
	Temperature	-3 C
	Wind Speed	20 knots, gusts to 40 knots
	Wind Direction	NE
	Meters of ice collected	16 meters total
	Notes on daily life	Under overcast skies with blowing and drifting snow, the ITASE team continues to drill ice cores and take snow samples. The permeability experiment work for the Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory in Hanover, NH were finished yesterday. At a temperature of -3 C it is almost too warm to drill but with the limited time left the drilling must go on. Gordon did additional Global Positioning Satellite system work while Bert continued taking radar measurements. Though it was very overcast with limited visibility, Tyler and Joe tried skiing in their big snow boots and mountaineering skis. Since the terrain is so flat, they thought that skiing might be a good diversion from their other work. It turns out that skiing in that equipment proved to be more trouble than it was worth.
12-3-99
	Latitude	80.37 S
	Longitude	122.37 W
	Temperature	-4 C
	Wind Speed	25 knots
	Wind Direction	NE
	Meters of ice collected	15 meters
	Notes on daily life	Under very cloudy skies with a wind chill of -29 C, everyone was very busy today with a variety of tasks. This new location is very flat and has very, very few topographic highs and lows. Fifteen meters of core were drilled yesterday for a researcher at the Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory in Hanover, NH to look for the presence of radioactive fallout from nuclear bomb testing in the 1960's. Paul and Mike are moving the drill to another nearby location to drill another 60 meters of core later today. Gordan continues his work on glacier mass balance and surveying while Bert and Steve are working on high resolution radar transects near the snow pit. Another snow pit has been dug behind the sampling pit in order to "back light" the sampling pit. This will help identify annual layers in the snow layers. Tyler and Joe worked on a snow permeability study yesterday and with modifications to the equipment last night they will continue that work today.
12-2-99
	Latitude	80.37 S
	Longitude	122.37 W
	Temperature	- 10 C
	Wind Speed	8 knots
	Wind Direction	NE
	Meters of ice collected	starting to drill today
	Notes on daily life	Under partly cloud skies with blowing snow, the team has arrived at their first ice coring site. They are halfway from Byrd camp to the next Automatic Weather Station (AWS). Yesterday was a 24 hour work/travel day and everyone was thoroughly exhausted by the time they went to sleep. The trip from Byrd took 18 hours during which time the team covered 90 kilometers. At the end of the trip everyone set up camp and Paul and Tyler dug a snow pit. Everyone is very busy today: Gordan with the Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) system to determine their exact location; Bert on the radar system; Tyler and Joe are moving fuel drums, taking weather data, and taking more snow samples; Tracy is servicing the Tucker sno-cats; and Mark is helping set-up the ice coring drill. The thickness of the ice at their new location is 2600 meters at an elevation of approximately 1200 meters (the actually land surface under most of the West Antarctic ice sheet is well below sea level). The phone call today was made from inside the portable "Jamesway" building which is on runners and is pulled behind the Tuckers. A Jamesway is a plastic covered, metal pole supported structure big enough to fit the entire team at one time (about 10 feet by 15 feet). Stay tuned for exciting information about the ice cores as they are drilled.
11-30-99
	Latitude	80 S
	Longitude	120 W
	Temperature	-18 C
	Wind Speed	23 Knots
	Wind Direction	N
	Meters of ice collected	0 (at Byrd camp)
	Notes on daily life	Under partly cloudy skies, with blowing and drifting snow, the team remains at Byrd camp. The weather has kept planes from flying in to Byrd and the team from collecting snow and ice samples. Gordan and Bob are working on attaching the "traveling Jamesway shelters" to the Tucker sno-cats and Bob's radar sled. All the equipment needs daily maintenance as it sits under these frigid Antarctic conditions and waits to be moved with the sampling team. Simple tasks such as melting ice for water, cooking meals, and even using a wrench on the sno-cats take a great deal of energy and a lot of time. Tasks that take a few minutes in warmer climates may take an hour or more at Byrd camp. The next time that there is a break in the weather and all the equipment is operating properly, the team will make a dash for the first ice coring site.
11-29-99
	Latitude	80 S
	Longitude	120 W
	Temperature	-19 C
	Wind Speed	9 knots
	Wind Direction	NE
	Meters of ice collected	0 (sampling to start tomorrow)
	Notes on daily life	Under partly cloudy skies with a slight breeze, the ITASE team is packed up and ready to roll out of Byrd camp on the first leg of their traverse route. Mark, the assistant field leader, hopes that snow and ice sampling can start as early as tomorrow. The weather in Antarctica, as well as in many parts of the globe, is a little unusual this fall. Even though there have been a number of weather delays already this field season, the team will still try to complete its proposed sampling schedule for this year.
11-28-99
	Latitude	80 S
	Longitude	120 W
	Temperature	-15 C, wind chill -36 C
	Wind Speed	19 knots
	Wind Direction	NE
	Meters of ice collected	0 (in Byrd camp)
	Notes on daily life	At Byrd camp, under partly cloudy skies with blowing snow, the ITASE team attended to last minute details before they start off tomorrow on the first leg of their overland journey. Everyone is anxious to start drilling ice cores. Last night the ITASE team and the staff at Byrd camp had their Thanksgiving dinner. It was a traditional family style dinner with turkey, mashed potatoes, and the works. As the team works off dinner they will finish lashing down equipment on the sleds and prepare for tomorrow's departure.
11-27-99
	Latitude	80 S
	Longitude	120 W
	Temperature	-15 C, wind chill -39 C
	Wind Speed	20 knots, gusts to 27 knots
	Wind Direction	NE
	Meters of ice collected	0 (in Byrd camp)
	Notes on daily life	Under partly cloudy skies, with blowing snow and a barometric pressure of 23.57 inches of mercury, the ITASE continued to prepare for their first days of sampling. Equipment has been loaded on the nansen sleds and everything is ready for leaving Byrd camp tomorrow or the next day. Today's chores include moving 55 gallon fuel drums and continued modifications of the radar system.
11-26-99
	Latitude	80 S
	Longitude	120 W
	Temperature	-19 C
	Wind Speed	20 knots
	Wind Direction	NE
	Meters of ice collected	0 (in Byrd camp)
	Notes on daily life	At Byrd camp, under partly sunny skies with blowing snow and a barometric pressure of 28.76 inches of mercury and steady, the ITASE team continues their work. The chores yesterday included improving the skiway, sorting gear, and practicing with the equipment. The last C-130 airplane flight came in last night and dropped the final pieces of gear. The team also located the automatic weather station (AWS) that has been transmitting weather information from that location for the past eight or nine years. Bob's ice penetrating radar system is working better than expected. Bob has located numerous objects buried in the ice around Byrd camp. The radar system has also been able to penetrate through the entire 2000 meters of ice under Byrd camp to the bedrock below. Today will be just another work day and the ITASE team wishes everyone a Happy Thanksgiving from Antarctica.
11-25-99
	Latitude	80 S
	Longitude	120 W
	Temperature	-14 C
	Wind Speed	2-3 knots
	Wind Direction	NE
	Meters of ice collected	0 (but starting at Byrd)
	Notes on daily life	First full day at Byrd camp. The weather here at Byrd camp is much more calm though much colder than at McMurdo base. The barometric pressure is 28.79 inches and falling under mostly clear skies. The team spent the day checking their personal and scientific gear. Bob checked his radar units and Tyler, Joe, and Mark helped to reflag the runway for additional supply planes. Last night Kevin Pusey, the safety officer, cooked dinner in the Jamesway (20 foot by 30 foot permanent shelter) for everyone. Though they missed Thanksgiving dinner in McMurdo everyone is excited to start doing science. There is a lot of work to do around Byrd camp to prepare the equipment for collecting the snow and ice samples. Team members should start the collecting process as early as tomorrow as the teams heads out from Byrd on the first leg of their traverse. After three weeks in McMurdo station, Byrd camp is a welcome sight.
11-23-99
	Latitude	80 S
	Longitude	120 E
	Temperature	-21 C
	Wind Speed	8 knots
	Wind Direction	calm
	Meters of ice collected	(0) but getting started at Byrd
	Notes on daily life	They have arrived at Byrd! Six team members were dropped off last night by plane. Scott tents were put up and everyone was curled in their bags by midnight. Today's schedule is to set-up equipment and get ready to start collecting samples. The landscape at Byrd seems more alien than did the landscape at McMurdo, like being on an entirely new planet. The present conditions at Byrd are: Mostly cloudy with a calm wind, and cold!
11-22-99
	Latitude	77.51 S
	Longitude	166.39 E
	Temperature	-9C, Hi -9C, Low -12C
	Wind Speed	12 knots, wind chill -22C
	Wind Direction	North
	Meters of ice collected
	Notes on daily life	Flight to Byrd was cancelled yesterday, however the group is scheduled to leave tomorrow at 1830 McMurdo time. Weather has improved at Byrd. A new group of visitors have arrived, the skuas. They are a large seagull like bird that comes into to McMurdo area as the sea ice diminishes. No visible open water yet, but it is getting close as summer moves ahead.
11-21-99
	Latitude	77.51
	Longitude	166.39
	Temperature	-9C Min -15 C
	Wind Speed	14 knots Gust to 26 knots
	Wind Direction	South East
	Meters of ice collected	0 (Still in McMurdo)
	Notes on daily life	7 inches of new snow. All gear for going to Byrd is loaded on the airplane and ready to go. Still waiting on good weather for the flight. Average Wind chill -25 C Max Wind chill -37 C Kevin Pusey the safety officer was volunteering in the kitchen to make a dessert for Thanksgiving. In McMurdo there are 37 turkeys waiting for stuffing, so if we're delayed in McMurdo through Thanksgiving, we'll have quite a meal.
11-20-99
	Latitude	77.51 S
	Longitude	166.39 E
	Temperature	-8 C, max -4 C, min -8 C
	Wind Speed	wind calm, max gust 13 knots
	Wind Direction	-
	Meters of ice collected	0 (still in McMurdo)
	Notes on daily life	The weather is responsible for two more flights to Byrd camp being cancelled today. There is no flying on Sundays from McMurdo.The next opportunity to get the team and more of its gear to Byrd will be Monday. It is snowing lightly in McMurdo and with the wind chill at -19 C. The ITASE team continues to check gear, enjoy downtown McMurdo, and wait for their flight to Byrd camp.
11-19-99
	Latitude	77.51 S
	Longitude	166.39 E
	Temperature	-5 C, min -12
	Wind Speed	calm, max gust 26 knots
	Wind Direction	-
	Meters of ice collected	0 (still in McMurdo)
	Notes on daily life	It is mostly cloudy today at McMurdo. The forecast calls for periods of light snow tomorrow which may affect the flight to Byrd camp. Joe and Tyler visited the weather office to learn more about the weather in Antarctica. More waiting for the trip to Byrd camp.
11-18-99
	Latitude	77.51 S
	Longitude	166.39 E
	Temperature	-12
	Wind Speed	13
	Wind Direction	NE
	Meters of ice collected	0 (still in McMurdo)
	Notes on daily life	Wind Chill -27 Max Temp -3 Min Temp -12 Max Gust 27 Min Wind Chill -32 Weather today cloudy with light snow possible Yesterday: Did a bit more crevasse training during the morning. Afternoon - Relaxation. Still scheduled to go to the field on Saturday. Two flights will go to Byrd with 200000 pounds each! Weather permitting.
11-17-99
	Latitude	77.51 S
	Longitude	166.39 E
	Temperature	-12, high -7, min. -15
	Wind Speed	10, gusts to 14
	Wind Direction	SE
	Meters of ice collected	0 (still in McMurdo)
	Notes on daily life	Yesterday some team members took a sea ice course and learned about ice thickness, cracks, pressure ridges and safety on sea ice. Kevin entered a ping pong tournament last night - not all is work in McMurdo.
11-16-99
	Latitude	77.51 S
	Longitude	166.39 E
	Temperature	-5, max -4, min -7
	Wind Speed	7 knots, gusts 32 knots
	Wind Direction	NW
	Meters of ice collected	0 (still in McMurdo)
	Notes on daily life	All cargo has been finalized for Byrd camp and the final mechanical work has been performed on the Tucker sno-cat. The weather is finally beautiful with cool dry air flowing down from the polar plateau of East Antarctica. The flight to Byrd camp has been postponed to Friday because of weather backups at Siple Dome.
11-15-99
	Latitude	77.51 S
	Longitude	166.39 E
	Temperature	-8 C, high -2 C, wind chill -20
	Wind Speed	11 knots, gusts to 33 knots
	Wind Direction	SE
	Meters of ice collected	0 (still in McMurdo)
	Notes on daily life	With this break in the weather 6 team members will leave on Thursday for Byrd camp. All the equipment for Byrd camp is ready for shipment by C-130 aircraft. Yesterday a few team members traveled by Tucker snow-cat across the Ross ice shelf to visit the hut that Ernest Shackelton built when he explored Antarctica around 1910 (More about the history of exploration of Antarctica can be found on this web site).
11-13-99
	Latitude	77.51 S
	Longitude	166.39 E
	Temperature	-4, Max -1, Min -4
	Wind Speed	26 knots, gusts to 36 knots
	Wind Direction	S
	Meters of ice collected	0 (still in McMurdo)
	Notes on daily life	Another day of chores including moving boxes and repacking equipment. Tracy Dahl made it to Siple Dome and then on to Byrd camp yesterday by twin otter airplane. He helped groom the landing strip and gave it the OK for landing C-130 cargo planes. The first flight is scheduled for today to carry equipment and Amy Dahl, the camp manager, to Byrd camp. If everything goes well six team members will fly to Byrd on Wednesday.
11-12-1999
	Latitude	77.51 S
	Longitude	166.39 E
	Temperature	-4, max -3, min -6 last 24 hrs
	Wind Speed	6 knots, gusts to 42 knots
	Wind Direction	SE
	Meters of ice collected
	Notes on daily life	Team members are working on the Automatic Weather Stations that will be deployed in the field and continuing work with the ice radar system. Nothing else is new. The weather continues to be difficult to fly in and the forecast is for more blustery and snowy conditions.
11-11-99
	Latitude	77.51 S
	Longitude	166.39 E
	Temperature	-4, minimum wind chill -28
	Wind Speed	11 knots, max gusts to 64 knots
	Wind Direction	SE
	Meters of ice collected
	Notes on daily life	Life in McMurdo continues on. Flights to Byrd surface camp have been delayed again due to weather. No one is bored though as there are many things that can be done in McMurdo that are normally done the first few days in the field. This way the team members can work on equipment indoors out of the wind and finish the day with a hot indoor meal.
11-10-99
	Latitude	77.51 S
	Longitude	166.39 E
	Temperature	-7
	Wind Speed	2 knots
	Wind Direction	SW
	Meters of ice collected	0 (still in McMurdo)
	Notes on daily life	Still in McMurdo. The weather has prevented all planes from leaving and arriving. Some ITASE equipment was to be dropped at Byrd Station today but the flight was postponed until further notice. Most of the preparations for travel to Byrd have been completed. The ITASE team is occupying their time by staying healthy and staying fit.
11-08-99
	Latitude	77.51 S
	Longitude	166.39 E
	Temperature	-10 C, last 24 hr high of 3 C
	Wind Speed	12 knots
	Wind Direction	SE
	Meters of ice collected	0 (still in McMurdo)
	Notes on daily life	Most of the team practiced roped skidoo travel on the Ross Ice Shelf. The safety training included crevasse rescue yesterday. The vehicles are being loaded for transport to Byrd Station. A plane arrived today from New Zealand bring in the last of the ITASE team. The barometric pressure is steady at 29.23 and visibility is unrestricted. The weather has been clear for the last two days though the wind has been howling. The maximum wind gust in the last 24 hours was 62 knots. The wind chill was -21 C at the time of the last measurement.
11-08-1999
	Latitude	77.51 S
	Longitude	166.39 E
	Temperature	-7° C
	Wind Speed	36 knots
	Wind Direction	SSW
	Meters of ice collected	0 (still in McMurdo)
	Notes on daily life	Everyone continues to check and pack gear. The weather is relatively good with visibility of 400 feet and a barometric pressure of 29.26 and rising. More planes are expected from New Zealand today.
11-07-99
	Latitude	77.51 S
	Longitude	166.39 E
	Temperature	-2 C
	Wind Speed	calm
	Wind Direction	-
	Meters of ice collected	0 (still in McMurdo)
	Notes on daily life	Life in McMurdo goes on. Everyone is still packing group and personal gear. All the food is packed and loaded on palettes ready to be air-lifted to Byrd Station. The wind during yesterday's storm caused enough drifting snow to bring out the snow plows. Though this morning's weather is very fair the next storm is visible on the horizon. The barometric pressure is 28.88 and steady but by 9 a.m. it had already begun to snow. Yesterday's minimum temperature was -6 C with maximum wind gusts of 67 knots and the minimum wind chill at -28 C in the last 24 hours. On Saturday night there was a Disco Fever dance for station personnel. Highlights for Sunday include a presentation by Dr. Paul Mayewski.
11-06-99
	Latitude	77.51 S
	Longitude	166.39 E
	Temperature	-6 C, wind chill -29 C
	Wind Speed	51 -76 knots
	Wind Direction	SW
	Meters of ice collected	0 (still in McMurdo)
	Notes on daily life	All is well with the ITASE team. It is very windy with gusts up to 67 knots and very cold. The food is good and plentiful. Everyone is still packing gear and preparing for departure to Byrd Station in a week hopefully. The dew point is -10 C and the barometer is at 28.77 inches and rising which may be a good sign for clearing weather. Flights to Byrd Station to drop equipment might start this Sunday. Everyone is in good spirits and excited about getting out into the field. Some team members have taken advantage of the e-mail at McMurdo and sent messages home. Once the team leaves for the field, communications will be limited to calls on their Iridium phones. The next live phone call from Dr. Mayewski in Antarctica to the Boston Museum of Science is scheduled for Saturday, November 6, at 11 a.m. Eastern Standard Time. The sun is up now at McMurdo until February 2000.
11-05-99
	Latitude	77.51 S
	Longitude	166.39 E
	Temperature	-12 C
	Wind Speed	1 knot
	Wind Direction	ENE
	Meters of ice collected	0 (still in McMurdo)
	Notes on daily life	Kevin and Joe fine tuned the food list and planned field dinners. They will pack all the food on Saturday. Readied core boxes, batteries, and marker flags on palettes for shipping into the field. Built tow ropes and hitches for towing nansen sleds behind snowmobiles. Mike G. designed and built a Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) unit holder and power source for the GPS units attached to the snowmobiles. Other various organizational and equipment gathering activities. Weather yesterday was beautiful. Weather deteriorated somewhat late in the day. All flights again cancelled. Only two flights have made it in from New Zealand during the last two weeks.
11-03-1999
	Latitude	77.51 S
	Longitude	166.39 E
	Temperature	-15°
	Wind Speed	14
	Wind Direction	East
	Meters of ice collected	none yet - still in McMurdo
	Notes on daily life	Paul, Mark, Mike, Tyler, Joe, Kevin arrived at McMurdo on the evening of the 30th. Gordon, Bob, Bert, Steve are delayed in NZ due to Antarctic weather. Expected to arrive today or tomorrow. McMurdo Halloween costume party on the evening of the 30th. Since then have been attending various required McMurdo station classes for people staying at McMurdo and field parties: 1) Waste management: All waste shipped from station (>4million lbs. of waste produced on Antarctica each year). Station recycles 70% of all waste. Class teaches how to separate and dispose of waste properly. 2) Snow Craft School: All 1st timers required to spend 2 days one night outdoors learning how to survive if stranded, how to work stoves, radios, tents, and snow shelter construction. Joe, Kevin, Mike required to attend. Left yesterday am will be back tonight. Lucky enough to have Condition 1 weather: Condition 1 is anything worse than the following conditions: wind > 55 knots, Wind Chill < -75 to -100 F, Visibility < 100ft to .25 mi. Paul, Mark, Tyler have been to Antarctica before so required to take only a PUSH course where a brief review of radio operation and stove maintenance is covered. 3) Outdoor safety class: Safety concerns for those desiring to participate in outdoor recreation around and about McMurdo station. What locations are off limits, staying on flagged routes, travelling with a partner, signing out before leaving. What we have done so far: Logistics meeting: All ASA coordinators involved in camp put in and expedition person and equipment put in logistical support meeting. Weather has delayed the initial Byrd camp put in. By the end of the week the 1st C-130 flight should arrive (wx depending) at Byrd. Jamesway and skiway will be prepared by support staff. By the 12th first 6 ITASE members will be put in along with personal gear. Earlier flights will unload Tuckers, sleds, and other heavy gear. Remaining 4 ITASE members will arrive on the 13th. Been organizing, sorting, and checking field gear: tents, cooking gear (stoves), ice coring equipment, gear that was shipped early. This involves a lot of time: locating gear, decision making,etc. Eating lots of food at the station "Galley" to fatten up for the cold field season ahead.
10-12-1999
	Latitude	1
	Longitude	1
	Temperature	78
	Wind Speed
	Wind Direction	NNE
	Meters of ice collected
	Notes on daily life	Check back here in November to read the latest!

search