Ambassador Rodney

Kia ora,

I'm Rodney the ambassador from Beachlands School in Auckland. I am so excited about heading down to the frozen land of Antarctica. This will be an amazing field trip and I can't wait to head out on to the frozen sea to find out more about ice and climate change.

See you down south,

Rodney.

Tuesday 27 October

Howdy folks,

I am still buzzing about being in Antarctica. It is hard to believe that a few days ago we were in Christchurch and it was about 20 degrees. Now it is minus 20! After our five our flight in the massive C17 aircraft we landed on the ice shelf near Ross Island. It was incredible to see all the sea ice. Everything looks white and it is really hard to judge how far away things are. We are lucky enough to be able to stay at Scott Base, which is the New Zealand base here in Antarctica. The base is warm and comfortable and they serve the most amazing food! 

We learnt how to stay safe in Antarctica and how to keep warm. This early in the season it is still really cold so we will have to be careful and look after each other. 

Tomorrow we are going out to the scientist’s field camp on skidoo.

I can’t wait!

Rodney

Wednesday 28 October

Hi there,

We had another fantastic day on the ice today. We rode a skidoo out to the K131 field camp and met Craig, a scientist who is measuring how cold and salty the sea water is to find out more about how sea ice can form.

My favourite part of the day was meeting a friendly Weddell seal as it popped up in the hole that the scientists had melted through the sea ice. 

Well, I need to get some rest so I’ll see you tomorrow.

Rodney.

Thursday 29 October

Tēnā koutou,

We had a relaxing day around Scott Base today so that some other people could use the skidoos. It was great to meet up with some other members of the K131 team who are staying at Scott Base. I learnt more about how sea ice grows in winter and how they can measure this by measuring the temperature.

The highlight of my day was heading up Crater Hill, an old volcano behind Scott Base. It was a big walk but the views were spectacular! I could see right out past the sea ice to open ocean north of Scott Base.

Tomorrow we are back on the skidoos.

Catch you later,

Rodney.

Friday 30 October

Hi all,

We had a busy day today helping the scientists. I learnt how to drill an ice core and cut it into sections. I also helped melt sea ice so the temperature probe that had been placed in winter could be recovered.

It took hours to melt the ice and I learnt that scientists have to show persistence and be able to solve problems when things don’t go to plan. 

We are staying at the K131 field camp tonight and I can’t wait. It is not every day that you are invited to camp on sea ice!

See you tomorrow,

Rodney.

Monday 2 November

Hi there,

We have had an action packed time down here in Antarctica. We travelled on skidoo out to the field camp and stayed overnight. It was so cool to camp out on sea ice. I think we should have been more adventurous and used tents but it was nice to escape the cold and sleep in the heated shipping containers.

I met Trevor the local Weddell seal today. Trevor has been hanging around the holes that the scientists have melted through the sea ice. Trevor likes to float at the surface breathing deeply in preparation for his next dive. He has been fighting with other seals to keep these holes to himself!

Well, it has been a long day so I’ll say good bye.

Rodney.

Tuesday 3 November

Kia ora,

I helped out in the cold lab today where I played with ice cores. I played piggy in the middle for a short time but it was too cold to play for long! The cold lab is -22 degrees. 

We had one last ride out on the skidoos and caught up with the K131 team. I met Trevor the seal again but when Gabby told me that seals can sneeze I stood a little further away from him. Big seals can have big sneezes and cover you in seal snot – not something I want to experience!

Well I’ll be home soon and I can’t wait to share more of my adventure with you.

Rodney.