November 4, 1975: Tuesday

Talk about busy.

Loaded Dr. Treves and Cal onto the Helo, with all sorts of supplies. Left me in charge. I told Mike Rieff what Jamesway sections we need and O.K.’d the idea to use our refers for ice samples and core. I confirmed these important decisions when Dr. Treves got back.

Moved all the wooden crates down from the lab to the driveway.

Went shopping for the drillers and weighed all the stuff that goes out at 13:30.

The afternoon was spent getting supplies for the drill site. Took Katsu, the little Japanese, over to Scott Base to call Tokyo. He delivered and picked up mail.

Gave CosRay Doug a ride out. Took his picture counting bosons.

We unpacked the microscopes that had arrived. It was like Christmas, with wrappings all over the place and Howard all exited putting things together. Howard came back today.

They accomplished a few things out there, like flag a route to New Harbour and discover that 1A is at the summit of a sub-ocean topographic hill.

Things are going very well out there.

Saw a C-141 land. It brought me lots of Newspapers, a letter from Mom, a can full of peanut butter cookie crumbs, and another letter from Joy. (Hurrah!)

After dinner I followed Dr. Treves around on errands. At Mac Center we discovered that coring might start tomorrow at 8:00 a.m.

Three days early.

That causes all sorts of scheduling problems. We shift flights around. Henry isn’t prepared to go out. The Japanese will go tomorrow with Dr. Treves. I get left behind.

Someone has to mind the store, I guess.

We looked for two big bottles of acetylene and propane for Leon. Couldn’t find the propane. Took the acetylene and left word with Pat that we did it. Mike will try to find us some propane tomorrow.

Another Herc went down at Dome C.

I don’t know exactly where Dome C is. It’s out there somewhere, at a place where the ice cap spreads out. There were two wrecked Hercs out there before, and this year was devoted to repairing them. Now they’ve lost another one, which means most summer field parties that need Herc support are in limbo.

Besides, it leaves McMurdo with only two Hercs for emergency evacuation.

The ice core they moved into the lab was from last year’s crash. It belongs to the French. Nartsiss brought it back. The plane he took out got there and back safely.

Bought Kay a Charm Bracelet Penguin:
$2.75