Expeditioners brave blizzard that moves fully laden shipping containers

Antarctic expeditioners have just endured a blizzard with winds so intense they moved fully laden shipping containers. Watch their story and find out how they prepare for ‘mother nature’s fury’ >>

ANTARCTIC expeditioners at the East Antarctic Mawson base have weathered an intense pre-winter blizzard.

Winds blew from 100-144km/h, with gusts up to 244km/h, keeping 19 expeditioners hunkered down for a week before they emerged to check the damage.

Station leader Matt Williams said the experience made him feel “insignificant” and “fragile”.

“All our extensive training kicks in and your mind becomes acutely aware of the importance of having thought (about) and prepared for this so intensely,” he said.

“If things do get really bad, we limit movement on the station completely – as happened on this occasion.

Visibility was at zero for days on end after an incredible blizzard kept Antarctic expeditioners at the Mawson base locked down for a week. Pictured are two expeditioners on a “blizz line” (blizzard line) outside after the storm to check for damage.

“In a more personal sense, these events are very intimate – in that it genuinely makes you feel insignificant, fragile and at the mercy of this incredible extreme of mother nature’s power.”

Mr Williams said the main challenges expeditioners face relate to the weather: the cold, the wind and the dryness.

As the blizzard eased expeditioners headed out to check for damage, but instead discovered that several fully laden shipping containers had moved in the storm.

The Mawson base on a clear day with sirrus clouds streaming behind it. Picture: Colin Blobel

Mr Williams said despite not being able to go outside for extended periods of time there is still plenty of hands-on work indoors.

“It is a great opportunity to catch up on paperwork, invest in training, and use our collective thinking to plan ahead,” he said.

“As the days get very short and darkness is almost persistent, we also focus a lot on mental activity, physical activity and emotional health.

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“As such, we invest a lot on this station in encouraging mental and physical health – even Station Leader run boot camps to get the heart rate up, blood pumping and clear the mind.

“There is also ample opportunity for alone time or socially rewarding down time – we have pretty good internet access, a cinema, pool, darts, plenty of games and everyone comes armed with a hobby they love or want to explore.”

When expeditioners know intense weather is blowing in, the Bureau of Meteorology arm them with data on exactly what the conditions may be.

Mawson base in the East Antarctic region with the Aurora Australis lighting the sky behind it.

“That said, even the best predictions often sometimes go unrealised – positively or negatively – much like at home,” Mr Williams said.

“So in essence we have a firm focus on always being prepared – things can change and escalate in a matter of moments in this extreme environment.

“We ensure vehicles are always put away properly, we keep buildings secure and we make sure our safety tools – like blizz lines between buildings to aid in walking around station – are in good order.

“Every expeditioner has this in mind when on station and plays their part. We also have some pretty well considered systems, like travel condition guidelines for movement, clothing and equipment, that we keep refreshing and exercising as a team.

“Drills and constant preparation are par for the course in pretty much every working week for we expeditioners in the most extreme environment on earth.”