Instrument Recovery in the Helo!

First off, we didn't get the crazy storm we were supposed to. It's super windy but not condition 1. I'm kind of disappointed. On the other hand, we had a fantastic brunch today. There was so much fresh fruit, it was great. All I had was a waffle and fruit, fabulous. Now I'm craving a large glass of real milk. We have milk but it is made from powder and it not the same as good ol' cow milk. Yum!

I won't keep you in suspense any longer. Part 2 of my fantastic couple days was on Friday morning when I was able to go in the helicopter to recover two of our instruments we had flown. Super cool! I love flying and it was exciting to be in a helo. Our flight was to leave at 8:15 am, Terry and I were ready at 7:30 waiting in Pax Helo terminal. We were briefed, weighed and introduced to our pilot, Marko. I sat in the back on the way out to our first instrument which was about 75 miles to the east of McMurdo. Here is a couple pictures from the flight out, starting with a picture of myself taken by myself. :)
Terry
Terry and Marko
Take off!
Mount ErebusLooking down
Mount Terror
Then it was time to start searching for our instrument. Attached to the mast is an Argos unit which sends out a signal to a receiver so we can track the instrument. This is the receiver I used to pick up the signal or I called them chirps.
Woo we found one! It's that tiny little orange dot at the front of the helo shadow. Luckily our pilot has great eyes cuz it's a small instrument in a vast sheet of ice.
We landed close to it, Marko shut down the helo and we went out to collect all the pieces.
Here is how we found the instrument and mast, the parachute was flapping in the wind a little ways off.
Marko and Terry with the helo.
Me!
It was pretty cold, -35F with a couple knots of wind. I was glad I was bundled up. Then it was back up in the air to find the second instrument. We found the next one fairly easily, of course Marko was the one to spot it. Me again with the second instrument.
We were able to pack up everything and head back to McMurdo. Terry let me ride in the front on the way back. I should totally be a helicopter pilot, look how awesome I look in the helmet.
Hot!
The real pilot, Marko.
Terry looking cool in his helmet.
Out the front of the helo.
Marko and Mount Erebus
Getting close to home. Ob hill and Scott base in the middle right.
And finally, McMurdo from the air.
It was one of the coolest things I have ever done, too much fun.
I'm ready for the next adventure. Leslie and Mahesh are going out to find the last instrument. If I fit, I get to go along. So far I'm on the schedule (fingers crossed). Hopefully tomorrow is nice weather!

Only 3 weeks left on the ice and I've still got a couple things I need to see yet before I go. It's been great so far and I'm excited for the rest. It has been going really fast but I'm excited to go home too. Enjoy the pics and I'll try to take some more to show you. Cheers!