First Blizzard - 1 march 2006
We have out first Blizzard here now. Started yesterday morning. Have to say it was a pretty frightening ordeal.
Walking into winds at 76+knots is NOT a fun experience. My neck-warmer was in the wash that day so my face was exposed, all I had was a beanie on. Winds that fast literally rip the breath out of you as you try to get it in. The air feels like it is oxygen depleted, you can barely breath as a result and the battle against the wind is exhausting, which means you actually require more oxygen than normal. Not a good state of affairs. Bent over with head pointing into the wind and hands behind my back to get as small as possible I was walking the 250 odd metres back from work to the Red shed. This little trip took me over 5 minutes. They were five of the longest minutes of my life. By the time I pushed my way into the Red Shed I was puffing and out of breath and quite frightened.
What was even more frightening was the speed which the Blizzard blew up in. We went from perfect conditions, to full on blizz in under 10 minutes. Today showed me just how dangerous Antarctica can be. And how bloody easy it is to die down here. And this was a mild Blizzard. In winter we can expect way more frequent and much harsher blizz conditions.
I am sure I will get used to the blizzards. I was fine coming to work this morning as I was going with the wind, so that was all good. You have to hang on to the Blizz line though because gusts of 80knots plus can take you off your feet really easily. And you have to stick to the side of the road because debris can fly down the centre and can cause some serious damage if it gets you.
I have just changed my PC desktop from a gorgeous berg scene to one of the Merewether Foreshore at home. Endless blue skies and tankers in the distance waiting their turn at the Coal loaders. While sets of perfect rolling waves, break on the sand with the green of the sand dunes in the foreground. Some days I do miss home.
Walking into winds at 76+knots is NOT a fun experience. My neck-warmer was in the wash that day so my face was exposed, all I had was a beanie on. Winds that fast literally rip the breath out of you as you try to get it in. The air feels like it is oxygen depleted, you can barely breath as a result and the battle against the wind is exhausting, which means you actually require more oxygen than normal. Not a good state of affairs. Bent over with head pointing into the wind and hands behind my back to get as small as possible I was walking the 250 odd metres back from work to the Red shed. This little trip took me over 5 minutes. They were five of the longest minutes of my life. By the time I pushed my way into the Red Shed I was puffing and out of breath and quite frightened.
What was even more frightening was the speed which the Blizzard blew up in. We went from perfect conditions, to full on blizz in under 10 minutes. Today showed me just how dangerous Antarctica can be. And how bloody easy it is to die down here. And this was a mild Blizzard. In winter we can expect way more frequent and much harsher blizz conditions.
I am sure I will get used to the blizzards. I was fine coming to work this morning as I was going with the wind, so that was all good. You have to hang on to the Blizz line though because gusts of 80knots plus can take you off your feet really easily. And you have to stick to the side of the road because debris can fly down the centre and can cause some serious damage if it gets you.
I have just changed my PC desktop from a gorgeous berg scene to one of the Merewether Foreshore at home. Endless blue skies and tankers in the distance waiting their turn at the Coal loaders. While sets of perfect rolling waves, break on the sand with the green of the sand dunes in the foreground. Some days I do miss home.
posted by Tracey in Casey - Antarctica at 9:13 pm
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