Antarctica - Casey Station ANARE 75 Part II - Summer January 2022 and February 2022
The summer was very busy and included a 30 day re-supply which is the longest in Australian Antarctic history. Also during that period a blizzard in January produced a record strongest wind gust of 115 knots (213 kph) - this broke the previous record of 88 knots (163 kph). The Happy Dragon rode out the blizzard in Newcomb Bay and it recorded a (unofficial) wind gust of 134 knots (248 kph).
C35 - New Years Day at the turnoff to Jacks Donga, with a snow groomer grading the A line
C36 - On Reeve Hill - Harrison taking a photo across Newcomb Bay
C37 - The new RSV Nuyina in Newcomb Bay refuelling Casey with the Happy Dragon in the background
About the RSV Nuyina
C38 - Adélie penguin down at Casey wharf
C39 - Late January snow storm - Stevenson screen in the Meteorological Instrument enclosure
about the Stevenson screen
C40 - Late January boat cruise through to O'Brien Bay on the southern side of the Bailey Peninsula
Ice cliff coloured by algae which is fed by nutrients of droppings from Adélie penguin colonies onshore.
C41 - The Happy Dragon in Newcomb Bay, waiting fro the sea ice to clear so as to start the station re-supply.
C42 - January 9 2022 - Re-supply with the Happy Dragon in full swing
C43 - alongside the Nuyina after just finishing a tour of her and on our way back to the wharf.
about the RSV Nuyina
C44 - A couple of Adélie penguins near the Casey wharf
C45 - Adélie penguin 'on and off ramp' at the northern side of Shirley Island.
about the Adélie penguin
C46 - Late January boat cruise through to O'Brien Bay on the southern side of the Bailey Peninsula
Pink and green algae embedded in the layers of snow and ice at the northern side of Shirley Island.
C47 - Moody skies in January with the Weather balloon building in the foreground
C48 - January 2022 - distant snow showers over Newcomb Bay with the Happy Dragon and continuing re-supply
C49 - Three expeditioners and a FTO out in a blizzard doing travel training in a Hägglund.
At times we had to navigate by the GPS as visibility was down to a few metres
C50 - Heading back to the Red Shed past the Operations Building and its "Blizz Tail"at 11:15 PM after work
C51 - Adélie penguins 'porpoising' during a late January boat cruise through to O'Brien Bay on the southern side of the Bailey Peninsula
C52 - During a late January boat cruise through to O'Brien Bay on the southern side of the Bailey Peninsula
Adélie penguin poo and urine provide nutrients for the green and pink algae to thrive.
C53 - Dynamic, moody skies south of the Weather balloon building
C54 - The RSV Nuyina arrived on January 14 to re-fuel Casey Station, while the Happy Dragon was well into the station re-supply
C55 -Three expeditioners and a FTO out in a blizzard doing travel training in a Hägglund.
At times we had to navigate by the GPS as visibility was down to a few metres
C56 - Succulent moss beds just south of the Red Shed
C57 - Dynamic cloud to the East of Station as a result of strong easterlies aloft
C58 - The RSV Nuyina in Newcomb Bay preparing for the re-fuel of the station
C59 - Three expeditioners and a FTO out in a blizzard doing travel training in a Hägglund.
At times we had to navigate by the GPS as visibility was down to a few metres
C60 - Young Adélie penguin looking very uncomfortable during moulting
C61 - During a late January boat cruise through to O'Brien Bay on the southern side of the Bailey Peninsula
C62 -March of the penguins - During a late January boat cruise through to O'Brien Bay on the southern side of the Bailey Peninsula
C63 - Snow Petrel nesting amongst the rocks on the Bailey Peninsula
C64 - RSV Nuyina in Newcomb Bay to re-fuel the station
C65 - Small ice bergs in Brown Bay, near Casey wharf
C66 - Large Dozer after a January snow storm
C67 - Adélie penguins 'porpoising' during a late January boat cruise through to O'Brien Bay on the southern side of the Bailey Peninsula
C68 - Shirley Island penguin colony as seen from Reeve Hill
C69 - Jake the penguin whisperer - near the Casey wharf
C70 - "Tradies Ute" Outside the workshops at Casey Station
C71 -During a late January boat cruise through to O'Brien Bay on the southern side of the Bailey Peninsula
C72 - Low tide near the Casey Station Wharf
C73 - Kenn Borek Twin otter at the Casey Skiway
about Kenn Borek
C74 - Adélie penguins near Thala Valley on the way to the Casey wharf
C76 - Kenn Borek Twin Otter and Basler at the Case Skiway
about Kenn Borek
C77 - Unstable Ice cliffs in Geoffrey Bay just down from Casey Station
C78 - Sunset to the southwest of the Meteorological balloon building
C79 - Rear view of the Kenn Borek Twin Otter up at the Casey Skiway
about Kenn Borek
C80 - Summer research of Moss bed microclimates in ASPA 135 (Antarctic Specially Protected Area) which is just east of Casey Station
C81 - Recent snow at the west of Casey - BoM satellite dome in the background
C82 - Kenn Borek Basler and Twin Otter up at the Casey Skiway
about Kenn Borek
C83 - Summer research of Moss bed microclimates in ASPA 135 (Antarctic Specially Protected Area) which is just east of Casey Station
C84 - Adélie penguins hanging out near the EVS (Emergency Vehicle Shelter) at Casey Station
C85 - The view across Shirley channel at penguins on Shirley Island and the ice bergs beyond
C86 - Luscious moss beds just south of the Red Shed at Casey
C87 - Budnick Hill in Newcomb Bay near Casey Station
C88 - Survival in the Antarctic
Anywhere out of Station Limits, one is required to wear the appropriate survival clothing and carry a survival pack packed with survival gear.
C89 - Small sculptured ice berg ~ 2m near Casey wharf, drifted aground at high tide - spot the penguin?
C90 - Fresh snow near Casey wharf
C91 - Skua near Casey wharf
about South Polar skua
C92 - Wave (or Penguin) cloud to the south of Casey
C93 - A walk on the fresh snow near Casey wharf