Where in the world is ORE?

[Elmo]

Well it is offically in Antartica

I'll post more details and pics as I get time. But Im at McMurdo station for the next 6-8 months.

Ken

[mercutio]

stop skiting and give us details and pics must have pics

[kiwipete]

stop skiting and give us details and pics must have pics

Ken was sick of all this stinking hot weather we are having here in NZ, so he decided to chill out a bit for the next 6 months.

[Elmo]

Ive been here 4 24 hours now. Been to Scott base twice already.

One machine I looked at today has 66inch tyres!!

Most of the everyday vehicles are Ford F350, or E350 (Van) with 36 inch 'summer' tyres.

Ive got plenty of pics so far, but they all need resizing before I can post. Hopefully I'll get some posted tonight.

[red-devil]

elmo wot is it that are are doing down there

Jono

[Sadam_Husain]

Lucky bastard

Most of the everyday vehicles are Ford F350, or E350 (Van) with 36 inch 'summer' tyres.

Have you organised any ORE antartic branch trips yet?

[Elmo]

Im in vehicle maintanence.

I work on pretty much any motoriszed thing that breaks down. Ive only been here two days, so havent actually worked on anything yet, but I have driven a Ford F350. Theres heaps of them, and E350 vans. I'll work on the Hunglands, and the PB's which are snow plows but with no scoups, just used for transport etc.

Ive got pics to upload, but this machine doesnt have a card reader, hopefully later tonight. (well day, its 23 hour days still. 24 hour nights start in late April)

There will be an ORE trip the next outing I go on. Lol, Try and make it if you can. Unfortunately we are very limited as to where we go. Its basically stick (well try to) to the roads, or Die! Off trail can end up putting you into the ocean. Its not as harsh as it sounds, but alot of the roads are stright over the ice/frozen ocean, and below that can be pretty deep. Right out from town is our port, which is made of gravel/rock. Its big enough to berth ships, so yeah, it goes "onland -> DEEP" in a matter of inchs.

Im also limted as to where I can travel to etc, but being vehicle maint, I do get to go out of town, unlike a LOT of the other people here.

[Taz]

At least you get some of the summer going down now. Would suck to be down there just for winter. You forgotten to get rid you your static charge before you pick up a phone yet?

[Jezza]

You lucky bugger! That is my main goal and the whole reason I'm in diesels, to get down there.
What beer do you get down there?

[Elmo]

We get most fo the NZ beers, its usually old, but its still cold!

As for the static charge, Ive had a few small zaps, but bugger all. Maybe thats something I will learn! hahaha

[curly12]

There will be an ORE trip the next outing I go on. Lol, Try and make it if you can. Unfortunately we are very limited as to where we go. Its basically stick (well try to) to the roads, or Die! Off trail can end up putting you into the ocean. Its not as harsh as it sounds, but alot of the roads are stright over the ice/frozen ocean, and below that can be pretty deep.

I highly recommend the Airstrip in front of McMurdo. When I was there it was as smooth as glass, just the thing for doing donuts in an Argo with 6 people on board
Also learnt that trip that some of the Americans don't have sense's of humour

[IcedJohnno]

Good to here about someone else from ORE down there. I was at SB wintering over in '05.

Are you working at the Heavyshop? They have good BBQs as I recall. 44's, sorry they are 55's at McM, cut sideways full of Ice and beer.

The trouble with the yank red PB100 Kässbohrer's is that they run on solid tyres unlike the yellow ones over the hill at Scott Base. Those two have pneumatic tyres inside their tracks which makes for a much better ride especially if you ever get off track , though that is highly unusual down there.

Enjoy your winter

[Elmo]

Yeah IM in the heavy shop, and yes we have good bbq's once a month according to my workmates.

[Baldrick]

Im in vehicle maintanence.

I work on pretty much any motoriszed Ford thing that breaks down. .... Theres heaps of them, and E350 vans.... (slightly modified quote)

I guess that WOULD keep you VERY busy !!

[Elmo]

To be honest, havent had any of the fords break down, just constant Post season services at this time of year, and thats mainly for the light mechanics anyway (Im in heavy shop). For a 5 or 6 Litre V8 they are as guttless as shit, couldnt pull skin off custard, it feels like they struggle to do the 25mph out of town speed limit at times, but I have 'heard' that they will pull well over 55mph on the ice roads if you have big kahonies. I do know they go VERY sideways too!

Remember a video of trucks with Maktraks on them? If you thort they were good, think again, CRAPOLA! Slow, and always throwing tracks.

Ive driven some rather interesting vehicles here, none in any interesting terrain though, other than up one of the narrow roads in an old tracked Nodwell. Did a 'test drive' to scott base in a Delta 3 a few weeks back, man, that was an experience!

[basics]

Lucky bastard

Most of the everyday vehicles are Ford F350, or E350 (Van) with 36 inch 'summer' tyres.

Have you organised any ORE antartic branch trips yet?

x2 ill be there for sure

[Bubba]

Pictures Damn it Pictures!

[Elmo]

Ok ok

SOME of my 1200 odd photos are hosted on photobucket

http://www.photobucket.com
Login: KenOnIce
Pword: icyken

Some of the photos have come out fantastic, alot are pretty average, hehe, but hey, its all digital so I can.

Theres maybe a dozen pics on the site. I add a few every few weeks, but as Ive settled into everyday life here things are less novel so take less pics.

Enjoy.

[Sadam_Husain]

Heres one of elmo's pics looking out the window of the base

[Elmo]

NO no

THIS is a view from the window!

[yeti]

Heres one of elmo's pics looking out the window of the base

thats funny.......

[Elmo]

I did laugh, but not for too long, as that WAS the view from my window on sunday!

[IcedJohnno]

Looks like CON 1 to me...
Have you put your money up for Antz's Con 1 Pool yet Elmo?

Looked in your bucket and it brings back lots of good memories, you've got some nice shots there, keep them coming please!

For those who don't know Condition 1 is when you can't see, the temp has come back UP to about -25 and it's blowing like the proverbial 40 bastards.
If you open the doors at the McMurdo Dorms like that you either get sucked outside or blown up the stairs!
To get to the Galley the USAP SARs guys set up rope lines and escort you across.

Over the hill at Scott Base the base is designed so in weather like that you rarely have to go outside, there are linkways everywhere except the old Hanger.

[Elmo]

We havent had con 1 here yet, twice have gone Con 2. We walked to hutt point just before they changed the condition from 3 to 2 as we knew they would change it. It was getting rather 'interesting' standing up on hutt pointin that weather and we knew it wasnt even THAT bad. It was cool to do. When we got back we guessed that it would have changed to con 2, and it had. Con 2 means its bad, but still ok to walk round outside, but only go out if you have to, no recreational travel.

Con 3 = feet dont touch the ground, and if they do, they arent likely to stay there!

[IcedJohnno]

Con 3 = feet dont touch the ground, and if they do, they arent likely to stay there!

Think you mean Con 1 here.

Are you going to run in the running race around to Hut Point and back in mid winter. There is nothing like sprinting to the finish down the main street of Mactown at -40! Your lungs just burn.

[Elmo]

Sorry yes, I did mean con 1

and run, me, no, never! But I am waiting for the polar plunges!

[IcedJohnno]

You need to understand that certain things do vanish during Polar Plunges.

Remember that when you are about to jump through a hole cut through 2 metres of ice, it is -30, there is 30 knots of wind blowing and you are only wearing a climbing harness.
This equates to about -70 on the Wind-Chill scale and Con 2.

The good news is they don't drop off and what goes up must come down....

Best-ist parties at SB are always after the Polar Plunges. So, so much adrenalin running around.

[Elmo]

Yes yes, Im WELL aware of what hides when its cold!