On the sea ice

During the week, the some of the guys went out onto the sea ice to take measurements to see if we could start getting out on the ice. The minimum depth of ice for travel on foot is 200mm, and the measurements came back at 210mm. Cookie made the decision to "open" the sea ice, but with the precaution of only opening the area directly in front of station. A few have tried a bit of skiing, but the ice is too slushy for any decent results. Mostly we have been heading out for a bit of a walk. And waiting for the depth to reach 400mm, so we can get the quads out on the flat stuff!

Me on the sea ice in front of station

While we are enjoying the growing ice, it isn't such good news for the elephant seals wallowing on shore. If they can't find an easy way through the ice near shore, they are forced to make the trek over the ice till they find a way in. What that has resulted in is the seals leaving "snail trails" heading out to sea for well over a kilometer.

No, he's not moving backwards - he has turned around to check us out

The guys (they are all male) still wallowing are now in various sizes, from pups only months old, to some very grumpy old buggers. The one thing that they have in common though is that they smell pretty bad. They spend their days burping and farting (not unlike some of us really) and lazing around. Occasionally they get the urge to attack each other, but it doesn't usually last too long before they are sleeping on top of each other again.

One of the big lads, surrounded by a few pups

There are a few holes in the ice that the seals have managed to keep open. Even though the ice is 210mm thick, these guys have managed to punch breathing holes through, and keep them open enough to come up for air. It is quite cool to look out over the expanse of white to see a few of the ugly noses sticking up at various breathing holes.

Two seals using the same breathing hole

Now it should only be a few weeks till we can get the quads out. Today was quite warm (-1) compared to last week (-25), so we want the temperature to cool back down so the ice grows nice and thick, nice and quick!