McMurdo Sound – 28th February, 2020

Fri
28 Feb
2020

We have reached the core area of our voyage, McMurdo Sound, the heart of the Ross Sea.

But, alas, the timing appears to be bad. A strong low pressure moves over the Ross Sea area and the coastal zone of low winds in McMurdo Sound that the forecast had promised turned out to be non-existent. No chance to get ashore as the winds are raging from 25 knots upwards to more than 50 knots. We pass Cape Royds and Cape Evans, Hut Point and McMurdo Base and even Scott Base – the sea is completely open as far as that! Unbelievable; that does certainly not happen every year. But it is already starting to freeze over again. The temperature is around -12 degrees and grey stripes of grease ice are all over the waves.

mcmurdo soand (gallery):

Click on thumbnail to open an enlarged version of the specific photo.

Cape Evans

Fresh ice crystals forming in stormy waters.

Scott's Discovery-hut at Hut Point near McMurdo Base.

True wind speed (TWS) in the upper right corner.