Anxiety grows as DV visit moves closer

A new view into the drill trench from the staircase (the rods to the left).

Many activities in camp today reflects the planned DV visit tomorrow. People are beginning to be a bit apprehensive on the imminent arrival of 31 visitors. One thing that still can be a joker is the weather. The days of low winds and sunshine are apparently over for this period. A few clouds were spotted to the south this morning, and by mid afternoon, thin clouds came, and the wind picked up to 20 knots from WSW which is almost right across our skiway. Not good for flying tomorrow. However the wind direction is so unusual, that it should turn soon. Luckily, we are putting the finishing touches to the stairwell and the elevator, so any adverse effects from snow drifts will be limited.

What we have done today:

1. Drilling.
2. Logging ice cores. Last bag logged: 347, depth 190.85 m.
3. Grooming skiway, taxiway and apron.
4. Elevator and staircase are now ready for use.
5. Building up in the CFA laboratory.
6. Cleaning up in camp.
7. Erecting flag line.
8. Replacing broken fuses in Pistenbully.
9. Mounting door to shower room.

Ad.1: This is how the drillers' report looks today:
“Two slush runs with the borehole filter produced 15 kg of excess chips from the hole. Tower maintenance was necessary to straighten the tower relative to the base and fix the slush pan rail. The pump/inner sleeve is holding up with proper alignment and normal drilling with the EPICA resumed producing ice cores between 2 and 2.5 meters. Assembly of the long drill continues and requires more fine adjustment of the hollow shaft to properly mount the pump.
Driller’s depth is 180.00 meters.”

Ad.8: Last night, power was lost in the garage. This morning the vehicles were cold due to lack of electrical heating. The Pistenbully did not start; but after some fuses were replaced, we got it running.

Weather: Clear in the morning, later thin overcast, -26°C to -14°C, 5-18 knots from ENE turning to WSW as wind picked up.
Visibility: Unrestricted and down to 1 km.

FL, J.P. Steffensen