Last scientific research expedition of the 2013-14 season and overwintering preparations

As the suns sinks lower over the horizon and Antarctica's austral summer comes to a close, the Princess Elisabeth Antarctica team winds down the 2013-14 season. Here's some photos from the final scientific research project of the 2013-14 season: locatedingthe ideal place for set up a future geomagnetic observatory near the station, and taking geomagnetic measurements at Belgium's former Roi Baudoin station close to the coast. We've also included images of the preparations made to the station for overwintering, before the team depart for the winter.

A view of the winter park, located 2km away from Princess Elisabeth Antarctica, which houses all the storage containers.

© International Polar Foundation
Jean Rasson from the Royal Meteorological Institute of Belgium and Princess Elisabeth Antarctica team members carrying out a survey for a planned geomagnetic observatory.

© International Polar Foundation
Taking an ice core sample for the Alfred Wengener Institute (AWI) on the Antarctic Plateau.

© International Polar Foundation
Jean Rasson from the Royal Meteorological Institute of Belgium taking measurements of the Earth's magnetic field at Belgium's former Roi Baudouin station on the Roi Baudoin Ice Shelf.

© International Polar Foundation
David and Simon relaxing for a few minutes after refueling before getting back on the 'road'.

© International Polar Foundation
The wind blows up impressive amounts of snow, which swirls around in every direction and accumulates on our vehicles and equipment, making working outdoors difficult.

© International Polar Foundation
Setting up several sensors for monitoring wind, temperature, humidity, and solar radiation.

© International Polar Foundation
Drilling into the ice to take an ice core to take an ice density profile for the Glaciology Laboratory at the University of Grenoble (LGGE) for their Glacioclim project.

© International Polar Foundation
Ice cores are immediately placed in a protective container so they can be analyzed later.

© International Polar Foundation
The two dots in the distance are the convoy sent from the top of Vesthaugen Nunatak 30 km away from PEA as they return from doing a geomagnetic survey near the coast.

© International Polar Foundation
Princess Elisabeth Antarctica: an oasis on the vast, frozen ice sheet at the bottom of the world.

© International Polar Foundation
Small crevasses can be seen along the grounding line, where the continent ends and the ice shelf begins.

© International Polar Foundation
Returning to camp with the skidoos. Although it is late at night, we still have to make sure they are protected from the wind.

© International Polar Foundation
After we finish our field expedition, we must load the skidoos onto the sledge before we can drive back to the station.

© International Polar Foundation
When a hydraulic pipe breaks, we have to repair it on the spot. That's Kristof's job. He's the best.

© International Polar Foundation
After just one night taking are of repairs, we have to remove all the snow that's accumulated on the tractor in the meantime before we can get moving.

© International Polar Foundation
Alain took measurements of 60 stakes along a 180 km stretch for the University of Grenoble's Glaciclim project.

© International Polar Foundation
Putting the finishing touches on the chimney of the back up genset to make sure that the snow can't get inside and block the system during the winter.

© International Polar Foundation