Up on its Feet

The Princess Elisabeth Antarctica Station has now successfully been anchored into the granite rock. The building team has raised the station upon its steel feet and is currently working on the assembly of the wooden structure.

The building team has begun raising the steel structure which will support the station's platform.

© International Polar Foundation / René Robert
Varying between 2 and 6 metres in length, the station counts a total of 14 steel struts which have been anchored into the Utsteinen rock.

© International Polar Foundation / René Robert
This is a mechanical adjustment system used to correct the steel bar's inclination with millimetre accuracy.

© International Polar Foundation / René Robert
Team members are either working up on the ridge, filming those working on the ridge, building new bathroom facilities or cooking away to feed everyone.

© International Polar Foundation / René Robert
Since the metal bars have been mounted on the Utsteinen ridge, work on the station has been advancing fast. But working up on the wooden beams requires the agility of a cat...

© International Polar Foundation / René Robert
Reinforcement piece to solidify the junction of two or more wooden beams.

© International Polar Foundation / René Robert
If you look closely enough, you can faintly distinguish the base camp and construction site upon the ridge.

© International Polar Foundation / René Robert
Alain and Bernard looking at where the rocks have to be cleared to fit the tower of the station.

© International Polar Foundation / René Robert
The floor is now going in. Every step forward is a new release of tension.

© International Polar Foundation / René Robert

Up on its Feet

Press Officer