Dateline: 7:15 AM Friday, 30 November 2001
Christchurch, New Zealand

Randy writes:

The current plan is for a briefing at 7:45 AM, and then we depart at 9 AM for the Ice.

We have all been up for a few hours already! The weigh in and check in are over, now we will have a security check and then get shuttled to the airfield. It is a good thing that it is early right now and still cool outside as we need to wear most of our gear for the flight.

Everyone is excited but I know that we will soon be in the sensory deprivation chamber of a cargo plane: dark and noisy.

Time to run!

Jason and Vivian check in before boarding the plane.

Boarding the C-130, part of the Royal New Zealand Air Force, in Christchurch.

It's a full flight to McMurdo, and long. Vivian is staying hydrated. There's not much to do on the trip, except sit back with your friends and maybe read a bit.

Some ice shots from the cockpit, and the pilot:

Almost there!

Finally on the ground at McMurdo. Jason immediately goes to work filming the unloading. On the horizon is Mt. Erebus, an acive volcano.

Dateline: 8:30 PM Friday, 30 November 2001
McMurdo Station, Antarctica

We are in McMurdo. We had an easy flight that only took 7 hours. It is 32°F here but feels warm due to the sunshine. It is 8:30 PM and the sun is still high in the sky.

Go on to the next day...

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