Friday, January 28, 2011

Lake Levels

Today we ran lake levels. Need I say more, but I will. Is a question mark required after that previous statement? Who the hell cares about grammar? Isn't that the point of being liberally artistic, to use the language as a medium for communication and not a strict guideline for how and what to write? As long as you know what I am saying. Which may be difficult at times...So today we ran lake levels. We flew to 5 lakes all across different valleys. Started at Hoare, flew to Bonney, then for the first time flew over Taylor glacier and ended up at Lake Joyce. From here we flew about 2 minutes away to a very secluded Nevada like lake with small forlorn hills with no top in sight. A ride over the pass and we ended up at Don Juan pond which even in the heat of winter never freezes. It is so hypersaline that it would have to be -70 degrees F to freeze. The water does not want to evaporate or freeze because it is so saturated with salt. We then followed the Wright valley down a couple of miles to Lake Vanda which is the terminus of the Onyx river (Longest in Antarctica ~ 17 miles?) then upward (Toward the ocean) to the start of the Onyx river, and back to lake Hoare for dinner! Paul the pilot said that flying 1 hour in a Helo is comparable to driving 4 hours in a car...All you did the whole day was sit, and when you get out all you want to do is sit...Damn...Ok Picture time...Also, Will somebody please clue me in on Egypt. It is very difficult to get news out here. The world is turning over every time I check.


Self Portrait on House Stream in front of Suess Galcier

Suess Glacier and 1882

Snow?

Lake Hoare camp

Big Colorado size flakes were falling!

Suess again with 1882, sunny!

Taylor glacier and blood falls

blood falls again, flowing very gently, not blood red this season.

Taylor glacier extending back towards the last mountains before south pole!

Friis hills where some friends from UND stayed the season! Plant fossils about at the top of that plateau!

Friss hills and 36H (three six Hotel)

Ventifact

Fountain and Nylen glaciers named after people down this season

Tall tall mountian

Antarcticas towers to climb!


The Cerro Torre of Antarctica

Don Juan pond, or what is left of it, salt flats

Don Juan again


Paul walking downhill towards Don Juan

Lake Vanda ice breaking up

Lake Vanda

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