Storm

November 28, 2008

The wind has not dropped below 50mph at Cape Crozier today, and gusts are exceeding hurricane force. When I awoke, my Scott tent walls were snapping and snow had drifted through gaps around the door. The sound of wind approached a roar outside. After pouring snow out of my boots, I climbed out and crawled to our hut.

Before breakfast, we spent an hour tightening ropes holding down our tents, a task that would usually take 10 minutes. While we were outside, our weather station recorded a 91mph gust, and average wind speeds were around 70mph [a hurricane is defined as 72mph and above]. Imagine sitting on the roof of a car speeding on the freeway and you get an idea of the forces involved. It was impossible to walk or stand, and, to reach our tents, we crawled over the rocks and ice.

Needless to say, we can’t observe the penguins today. While we are huddled next to the heater in our hut, they are sitting on their nests in the snow, comfortably streamlining themselves to the wind. Oh, to be a penguin…

Happy Thanksgiving to all in the U.S.

My Tent In The Storm