Early Return
It has been decided that, due to fast progress on site, the logistics associated with the return schedule of the building team would be shifted forward one week.
Consequently, a team of 14 people will leave Utsteinen for the Russian Novolasarevskaja Station on Tuesday February 26, while 18 other people will stay with Alain until March 5 to carry out camp shut down operations (vehicle servicing, tent dismantling and inventory). During this last phase, René Wagemans has been designated as the Base Camp manager. He will be responsible for carrying through the inventory and final vehicle servicing, along with Olivier Grasselli.
The early evacuation has come as a wise decision, given the deteriorating weather and the shortening days. There will be one more traverse to the coast to bring back the remaining fuel before everyone pitches in to shut down the station for the season.
Picture: Full Moon - Copyright: International Polar Foundation - © International Polar Foundation