Going to Antarctica

[SidewaysTA]

Well, not Antarctica proper but the Ross Sea. My job takes me all over the world but this will be an interesting expedition so I thought I'd share this one. Anyone want some souvenir ice?

http://iodp.tamu.edu/scienceops/expeditions/ross_sea_ice_sheet_history.html

The screen cap below shows our planned route from Lyttleton, NZ to the Ross Sea.

 

[TxStetson]

Sounds like a once in a lifetime opportunity.

 

[Charlie Primero]

My job takes me all over the world

Cool job!

Don't doxx yourself, but what is your job, generally speaking?

 

[SidewaysTA]

I provide IT services and support on our research vessel, JOIDES Resolution. Everything from Server/Network Administrator to end user support.

I'll be updating this thread with pics once we get on site, assuming we still have internet access. I've been experiencing some interruptions in service already and we are just a couple days out of port.

 

[Dawico]

Very cool. Should be quite the experience.

 

[SQLGeek]

Man that's neat. Have a great and safe voyage!

 

[ZX9RCAM]

Very cool. Should be quite the experience.

What he said...

 

[Davetex]

 

[grasshopperglock]

So this is the ship? I'd go stir crazy. Looks like you can't walk 20' without having to step over something or crawl through.

 

[sucker76]

I'm in for the updates. it looks and sounds like a heck of a good trip.

 

[easy rider]

Keep the cold in Antarctica, had enough of that already. It would be a cool experience, although a lot of nothing in between, I'll wait for the movie. Safe trip!

 

[AustinN4]

WHAT IS THE JOIDES RESOLUTION?

"The JOIDES Resolution (JR) is a research vessel that drills into the ocean floor to collect and study core samples. Scientists use data from the JR to better understand climate change, geology and Earth’s history. It is a part of the International Ocean Discovery Program and is funded by the National Science Foundation."

http://joidesresolution.org/current-location-of-the-jr/

Lots more at http://joidesresolution.org/

 

[dsgrey]

My boss took a vacation cruise there 2 years back. She loved it and especially the penguins since you can walk up to them.

 

[ZX9RCAM]

My boss took a vacation cruise there 2 years back. She loved it and especially the penguins since you can walk up to them.

Be careful, they bite....

 

[SidewaysTA]

Here's a couple of pics to start.

Looking down at Lyttleton, NZ. It is summer here and they are in a drought I'm told. It looks like Texas except for the mountains of course. The weather is weird though, it was fairly cool and windy here even though doesn't look like it. It also rained almost a full day while we were there, not hard but steady. Auckland, where I flew into, was much hotter.

On the other side of the mountains is Christchurch. I stayed here while waiting for the JR to arrive. This town was heavily damaged in the big quake of 2011 and you can still see ruins all over. I'll post more pics of that later.

This is a shot from the mountains looking down at the JR being towed to the fueling pier to begin bunkering fuel.

 

[SidewaysTA]

So this is the ship? I'd go stir crazy. Looks like you can't walk 20' without having to step over something or crawl through.

View attachment 128637

Yes that is it. Folks do get lost their first time on board. It can be maze like.

 

[grasshopperglock]

What kind of food are they gonna feed y'all? Is it regular stuff or do they go all out?

 

[SidewaysTA]

Some of both. Mostly regular stuff, they try to cater to the different cultures on board. They also serve big meals on special occasions that can be quite extravagant. Occasionally some fish might commit suicide and the galley crew have no choice but to serve it up. Fresh tuna yummy!

Here's a Christmas meal from a couple of years ago (The last Christmas expedition I worked).

 

[TheDan]

Congrats on being inducted as an active member in the round earth conspiracy!

 

[Davetex]

Very nice pictures, thanks for sharing them.