Back in business for our 10th season
After arriving at Princess Elisabeth to start a new season, which is always a very special moment, the team began the 10th BELARE season with the usual tasks: clearing the snow around the station and in front of the garages, starting the station’s systems and servicing the vehicles for the season ahead.
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Arrival at Novolazarevskaya station. Time to unload the gear.
© International Polar Foundation - Alain Hubert
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The black boxes contain food supplies, which must be protected from the cold.
© International Polar Foundation - Alain Hubert
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A quick glimpse inside the cargo space aboard the Ilyushin.
© International Polar Foundation - Alain Hubert
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Our luggage is transported to the DC-3 Basler, which will take us to the station, 450 Km east of Novo.
© International Polar Foundation - Alain Hubert
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The team and the equipment is on board. Just another 90 minutes, and we'll be at the station.
© International Polar Foundation - Alain Hubert
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Landing at Princess Elisabeth. Next step: unloading the plane.
© International Polar Foundation - Alain Hubert
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The three containers in the background close to the runway are "garages" for the skidoos and sledges we use to transport the equipment to the station.
© International Polar Foundation - Alain Hubert
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Less than an hour later, the Basler is taking off for Novo. Temperature is -22°C.
© International Polar Foundation - Alain Hubert
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Here we are using the sledges and skidoos to transport everything to Princess Elisabeth, some 2km away from the runway.
© International Polar Foundation - Alain Hubert
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The sun is welcoming us at the station! After 8 months, we are back again. This moment always feels very special.
© International Polar Foundation - Alain Hubert
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Cleaning and servicing the bulldozers that spent the winter outside.
© International Polar Foundation - Alain Hubert
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As usual, the snow has accumulated in front of the garage doors. We'll have to dig our way in to get to the Prinoth tractors.
© International Polar Foundation - Alain Hubert
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Our first meal at Usteinen in our "Caboose", the mobile labs used by scientists when doing field work.
© International Polar Foundation - Alain Hubert
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After a short night, the first day is dedicated to clearing away all that snow!
© International Polar Foundation - Alain Hubert
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First step: clear the entrance to the garage. Meanwhile, the engineers are starting up the station's systems.
© International Polar Foundation - Alain Hubert
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Nearly there after 9 hours of effort!
© International Polar Foundation - Alain Hubert
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We are in!
© International Polar Foundation - Alain Hubert
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The big Komatsu is out and starts cleaning the roof.
© International Polar Foundation - Alain Hubert
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Kristof has his own way of cleaning the mobile snow melter unit scientists will take in the field in a few weeks.
© International Polar Foundation - Alain Hubert
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At the end of that first full day, the sun disappears behind the mountains for a few hours.
© International Polar Foundation - Alain Hubert
