Weather: Warmer, with temperatures hovering around -50F . High winds most of last week. Sun, sun and more sun.
Welcome to “No-Fly November”, the eternal optimists least favorite month! Well, at least I know that I’m not flying until the 30th at the earliest (possibly later with weather delays). Next year’s winterovers and any summer staff have arrived in McMurdo a few days ago. They’ve been in level yellow during their time so far (7 days of level yellow for each incoming pax flight). Folks here are getting antsy and hoping for good weather on Nov 10th, when the first flight is scheduled to land here (the first flight in nearly 9 months)!
The USAP Basler and flight crew are currently finishing up their last few days of quarantine in Punta Arenas Chile, and will be transiting the continent to get to McMurdo sometime mid-week this week. They will then begin the 7 days of level yellow again in McM before flying the first of the Winterovers to Pole.
Last night, we had a bit of a ‘last hurrah’ with our crew. We hosted a “social undistancing party” , as we will most all be headed back to the US, where COVID and social distancing awaits us.
With my trip home nearing, I’m getting excited about being able to go outside, go on walks, and be back with my fiance. I still have another month here, but I think it will go by quickly with the 2021 winterovers Matt and Sasha here to train and hang out with.
It’s a bit weird to think that I’ve been here for 10 months. I can hardly remember when it was dark out (which it was… for 6 months)!
Allen's South Pole Winter-Over 2020 (+) 