Tag: casey station

20–21 SeasonAntarctica

I’ll be working at Casey, again!

on 10 October 2020

With travel details formalised this week it’s time to (officially) announce I’ll be heading South for my third summer season in Antarctica. I’m proud to have such a unique opportunity to visit a part of the world which so few people get to see – I’ll be working at Casey station! Again!

It’s 2020 so I’ll try to avoid using the overused word “unprecedented” where possible. So much is going on in the world right now, and will make this Antarctic season quite challenging, requiring adaptability and resilience from all expeditioners.

I head off to Hobart in about two weeks. Then, subject to weather, fly to Wilkins about two weeks after that.

The 74th ANARE is sure going to be a very different season.

CaseyWilkins

Arrived on station

on 4 November 2018

Friday was a big day. We had a few delays to our departure and there was quite a bit of waiting around at Hobart airport, but in the afternoon we were airside and about 3pm we were in the back of the C17 and flying down to Antarctica.

Flight time is about four and a half hours. Being a cargo plane there’s not many windows to look out of, and when seated you’re just staring at shipping pallets for a couple hours. We eventually landed at Wilkins Aerodrome and officially commenced our summer working in Antarctica.

After a quick hello and goodbye to the outgoing winterers, we jumped on the Terra Bus and commenced the 70km ride from Wilkins to Casey station.

It was a late arrival getting in to Casey, at about 23:30. After hellos and an emergency briefing, we finally got to our dongas (bedrooms) and could rest up.

The next morning, station inductions continued from 8am and I had my first morning in the office. All the computer systems are the same across stations so it was all coming back to me work-wise.

It’s been a good first weekend, with plenty of introductions and getting to know the crew. Here’s to a good summer ahead.

  • At Wilkins with the Bassler and C17 in the background
  • The Terra Bus in Antarctica
18–19 SeasonAntarctica

I’ll be working in Antarctica! Again!

on 5 October 2018

With the contract signed this week it’s time to (officially) announce I’ll be heading South for my second season. I’m very excited to be getting such an amazing opportunity to visit a part of the world which so few people get to see – I’ll be working in Antarctica! Again!

This summer season I’ll be working at Casey station as an IT Officer for the Australian program for the 71st / 72nd ANARE.

A lot of planning is already underway – I have flights to Hobart booked in, I know where I’ll be staying in town, I have the pre-departure training guide and many other bits and pieces organised. The second year is always a bit easier though as there’s less unknown – I’ve already done all of these things once before so everything feels quite routine so far which is good.

I guess the main difference to last season is that the logistics around Casey station is quite different to the other two Australian bases. Davis and Mawson get the Aurora Australis icebreaker ship in early, then again a second time late in the season, whereas Casey’s resupply is V2 right before Christmas. This means us summerers tend to fly down to start the summer season, are already on base for resupply, then fly back at the end of the  season. Checking my ticket details (and remembering this is Antarctica – the “A Factor” means plans are always subject to change) it looks like I’ll be heading down in the back of the C17 Globemaster, and returning on the A319. I’m very excited to fly down instead of the ship this year, if anything just for the new experience of getting to the icy continent by air.