Working hard at PEA

27 pictures posted on the 31.01.2012

Despite the delay of the Mary Arcica caught in the ice for a week, the unloading operation unfolded without hindrance.

Despite the delay of the Mary Arcica caught in the ice for a week, the unloading operation unfolded without hindrance.

© IPF - Alain Hubert

  • The Mary Arctica arrived at Crown Bay with a week delay. She brought two helicopters for the german researchers.
  • Despite the delay of the Mary Arcica caught in the ice for a week, the unloading operation unfolded without hindrance.
  • At Crown Bay, the landscape of the iceshelf is always an amazing one -no matter the weather.
  • The convoy of our four Prinoth tractors on their way back from Crown Bay. Note the amount of containers on the sledges.
  • Last year, we had good luck with the ice, this season, the Mary Arctica has been blocked eight days in such a sea.
  • Both pilots, Florian and John, are well experienced and mega trained helicopter pilots.
  • Arrival of the convoy at the PEA coming from Crown Bay. Everyone even the researchers give a hand to unload the containers.
  • One of the important task of this 2011-12 BELARE season was to replace the 192 batteries which store the energy produced by the solar panels and windmills.
  • These new batteries will enhance the energy storage capacity of the station. Here, Eric cabling the new batteries.
  • The crane we use at the station could take 8 batteries at a time. The replacement of the batteries took 5 hours.
  • Jacques at work : he is finishing the making of the hooks for the dormitory container for the Germans.
  • Illir at work to finish preparing the mobile unit for the AWI's german researchers.
  • Here, we are installing a repeater antenna on a Nunatak located at 60 km from the PEA. It will be used fur our VHF comnunications.
  • Arrival at PEA with helicopter after having installed a repeater antenna on Romnoes Nunatak at 60 km from the base.
  • Blue ice field is unique here in Antarctica and the light so unexpected.
  • The convoy which has been to Crown Bay to unload the Mary Arctica is arriving from Crown Bay.
  • Our heliport is located just in front of the station and protected from the main winds.
  • The brand new 'Basler 6' -fullly equiped for polar research- belonging to the Alfred Wegener Institute, Bremerhaven. Arrival of the German scientifics.
  • Making a rescue exercice with an helicopter near the PEA.
  • A windscoop encountered by the Germans during a geological survey.
  • Landing on top of an iceberg.
  • Refuelling at base camp during a reconnaissance flight along the coast to the East.
  • Mono-turbine helicopter -a quite powerfull machine, piloted by Knut, a 13 000 hours pilot.
  • Sastrugis (this word is from russian origin) come often in the conversation of the polar people who use to travel in the Antarctic. Here are some...
  • Outcrops along a glacier located at 150 km West of PEA.
  • Coming back from an excursion near the Vikinghoda mountain.
  • After seeing such an landscape, one does not have anymore to wonder why the Antarctic is such a fasinating continent.