A Trifecta of Traverses

One of the most impressive operations here are the traverses. A few seasons ago, I posted about the SPoT team (South Pole Traverse) that drags fuel and cargo from McMurdo to the South Pole, usually three times a season. They are always a team of hearty people that get through tough conditions, driving their tractors for ~30 days each way. 

HST getting set up in the background

This season I've been spending time to get to know the Heavy Science Traverse (HST) team. This will be the first year they take their modules to the South Pole and then head even further than anyone has been before to take scientists to locations they need to do their work. There are 6 tractors that will go on this trip. They will follow SPoT1's trail to Pole, but then go further than the South Pole. They leave in early November and do not return until mid-February. Can you imagine?! You have to take everything with you for all that time and only stop at a station once (at Pole). You can only do things like laundry ONCE on that trip. 

I can't even imagine. And then I toured their modules. They are older than SPoT's and in need of updating. They weren't set up yet for travel, but you can get an idea of how they store food in the shelving units, sit around what will be a table in the middle, and even watch movies on a screen they pull down. This is the "living room/kitchen".

This is where they store food, eat, and get together to watch movies

Not quite set up yet, but older appliances and a small kitchen

First sleeping module has four bunks

Guess what I asked.... do they ever get to wash their clothes or sheets? Um... you don't want to know..... So, no on the sheets (remember, they are out there Nov - Feb) and they have a handwash bucket for smaller items, like underwear.

Aft sleeping module has beds side by side

I thought they'd like this last sleeping module with a view, but I was wrong. The team likes the bunk room because it's warmer and they don't care about that view from the window because they see that view all day long on their tractors. Those who have been on the traverses longer get to pick what bunk they want first. 

Heavy Science Traverse modules being lined up

Right now, the team is working on getting the modules ready and loading up cargo and fuel bladders. They'll depart in early November.

Fuel bladders being laid out and getting ready for fuel intake

We do have newer traverse platforms in the works. I'm the NSF Project Manager for the upgraded SPoT modules which will come on vessel in January, and I'm also the Project Manager for the Intermediate Science Traverse whose modules are already here in McMurdo awaiting assembly soon. 

Since IST is brand new, the modules were a stark contrast to HST's. I visited them on the same day. They've been stowed away and gathering some snow.

IST Modules Awaiting Assembly

The IST bathroom module was like a spa compared to HST. 

Shower Stall!

Just a bit of snow had accumulated outside. The Pistenbullys that will be used for IST were covered.

Just super impressed with all the traverse teams. IIt's exciting times to have IST and also the new SPoT modules coming in this season.

I can't wait to see the views from the HST mission and hear all their stories when I see them again in February.