New NSF Dry Valleys Grant

These boots were made for walking...in the Dry Valleys of Antarctica!

Just got word from Prof. Carpenter that new Antarctica proposal was accepted and I will be research tech on the project. Everyone cross your fingers that I will get the opportunity to deploy again!!!

New Blog

A long overdue update: I've been back in the northern Hemisphere for 3 years now. I hatched a cuddly chick and have been staying close to the nest. My trip to Antarctica and my new role as a mamma have renewed my commitment to doing my part to be part of the solution to climate change. Please follow my new eco-lifestyle blog here : http://carbon-qualms.blogspot.com

Pictures Galore

Pictures Galore in Picasa !!!!

Here's a taste:

Mt. Erebus as viewed from the "runway" near McMurdo and New Zealand bases

I forgot how much fun it was to test out the Satellite Phone :

"I'd like to order a pizza for delivery"

More Antarctica from New Zealand

Hopefully I haven't lost everyone's interest by now and I won't run into technical difficulties this time to show you more pictures.
To the left is me in front of Miers Lake - so happy to be in this Antarctic wonderland!




Yay! This is the picture I've been trying to put on foooorrrreVer - the penguin!!!! Jill was hauling some stuff from the helicopter pad and turned around to the sound of squawking. Her response was "are you f*#@ing kidding me!" - we definitely didn't expect to see a penguin in the Dry Valleys and especially not right after we got off the helicopter. The penguin walked off into the distance never to be seen again :(
Ok 1 more picture before I jet off to see more Waitangi Day festivities and then head to Auckland. I can't believe that I leave tomorrow! This is Little Buddha Lake (I believe) which I went to with Doug, Tom, and Jill to sample some very cool Nostoc mats (hopefully we get some great data - rub the Buddha's belly for good luck on that). Looking at these pictures I am pinching myself once again that I got to go to Antarctica and these (mostly) untouched places in the Dry Valleys. I definitely have the Antarctica bug. I lied - here's the last picture- it's my Goodbye from Antarctica photo. Goodbye!

oh and I get back the 7th (change of plans!)

Thawing out in NZ - in Whangerei, North Island having technical blog difficulties

More pictures - finally!

Here are a few more pictures from the field (I'm having computer problems-argh!). I leave tomorrow for Christchurch, NZ. I still can't believe that the adventure is coming to an end. The field work was great & the site was amazing! When I first arrived there was a penguin visitor walking and squalking near the helicopter pad (oh yeah I got to fly in a helicopter - so fun!)

I saw ventifacts and hypoliths - rocks sculpted by the winds and moss and lichen communities attached to the bottom of rocks, respectively. The glaciers and ridges and lakes were also breathtaking. Happy viewing! Can't wait to see everyone back in SF (I fly back the 5th - after some thawing out on the beaches of the North Island, NZ).