This sitrep starts from Construction Day 13.
Days 13-15
The crew spent a good portion of the day installing the windows. The main picture window formerly named “the corner of doom,” due to its tricky install, has been transformed into the “corner of glory.” The window serves as “seal TV” for the scientists with views ranging from the ocean, down to the seal beach, and out over the glacier. We were originally hoping to finish waterproofing the main roof over the galley, but the weather drove us inside where we installed the main doors to the building. A few brave souls ventured out to hang the first few panels of cladding in less than ideal conditions.
A massive storm rolled through camp the night of the 17th and into the morning of the 18th with gusts that reached 52 knots. No one slept, many woke to the tent hitting them in the head as the winds pummeled the tent sides and top. During our morning stretch (now taking place inside the galley) we looked out “seal TV” to discover all our window coverings scattered along the beach. The previous night’s winds had hurled the ratchet strapped pallet across camp breaking panels free at the base of Condor Hill and tossing them along the beach and into the ocean. A panel recovery team led by the scientists was quickly formed and drones were launched. All of the panels, except one, were found. Some at the base of Condor Hill and others as far away as the ocean floor – thank goodness the panels sank and the tide went out. The storm also revealed leaks at a few of the western windows thus beginning a three day forensic architecture investigation into its cause and associated fix.
For the next two days the group divided between interior cladding, electrical, and a heroic and daring team on roof waterproofing to get the building dried in. As soon as the weatherproofing wrapped up the roofing team switched to hanging the first few cladding panels. Shaggy continued the tireless and thankless job of “shopping at the beach,” bringing materials to the site to keep things moving.
Days 16-18
Huge day. Huge! Both roofs are now clad in marine grade corrugated stainless steel. Doing this so quickly during Antarctic weather was a feat. Fili, Cody, and Will fearlessly clipped themselves into harnesses and ropes and crushed it. The color of the corrugated stainless roof cladding matches the misty sky of Antarctica and the bronze exterior wall cladding matches the landscape. Everyone agrees that the buildings look more at home here at Cape Shirreff than they did with Ball Arena in the background. Berthing interiors are far enough along that the science team is asking when they can start sleeping in the building. This is in large part due to Bo and Dre’s cabinet shop that put together the “advanced Ikea” interior in record time.
Over the next few days the exterior cladding and wall waterproofing continued and the more we put up the more we, and the scientists, love it. The rough out on the galley electrical is as far along as we can get it until millwork gets done. Berthing’s interior walls, millwork, and desks finished up, freeing up electrical to start in that building. A huge thanks to Kristina and Sam for hanging, cutting, rehanging, and trimming out the interior. The cladding was over 50% done on berthing despite cold weather, wind and rain. The exterior team persevered through some terrible weather and continued to push on. They have definitely earned their Antarctic Service medals!
Goeff (aka Sparky, aka Cupcake) and his apprentice George started roughing out the electrical in berthing. Each bunkbed has its own dimming switch, USB and USB-C port, and 110V outlet all integrated into the cabinetry. Geoff commented “that the detail would be nice if you didn’t have to install it. Typical architects.” We count Antarctic days as dog years and figure George is well on his way to becoming a licensed electrician.
The concrete sink and faucet were installed in berthing. The plumbing test revealed that while the faucet works with the foot pump a series of leaks at the fitting causes the sink to simultaneously wash the floor. This will not be surprising to Rick’s wife who no longer allows him to do plumbing at their house. We have faith it will all be figured out. The cladding team of Fili, Cody, Will, and Shaggy finished up the berthing after a windy day and started to move onto cladding at Galley.
Days 19 and 20
The cladding team had the full team at their disposal and a well-deserved afternoon off after days of grueling conditions. 60% of the Galley is now clad with the end in sight. Electrical panels are beginning to get wired and the berthing bunkbed switches finally concluded after two full days.
After 20 days we finally allowed ourselves a full day off. The crew slept in and Rene made brunch. The science team led an epic afternoon hike that took us all over the Cape. We witnessed the rugged west coast, hiked through colony 29, saw the Chilean monument, got a close up look at the glacier all while learning countless scientific facts. From the subtle beauty of the moss to the abundant wildlife the hike was something none of us will ever forget.
Life in the Construction Crew
Day 16 - The crew received the bad news that we have been consuming Frutika (our beloved grapefruit and pear juice) at an alarming rate. Rationing has begun and Naranja (OJ) has been suggested as the substitute. We begrudgingly accept and although it lacks the Chilean governmental warning about excessive sugar, we are adjusting with only a few complaints.
Seal TV and game night are becoming a regular occurrence in the galley, but the night of Construction Day 19 was a record breaker with 100% attendance. The full house made for an epic game of Cranium. The scientists aced all the science questions, but the architects missed badly on the lone architectural history question bringing into question the education they received. We came away with two solid Cranium game tips. 1) When in doubt guess the Mona Lisa (Doug believes it to be the answer to over 6 questions) and 2) DNA can be the answer to both a science question and a tricky sculpture.
Dinner conversations continue to be extremely diverse. Conversations range from what differentiates a soup from a stew, a bread from cake, or an empanada from a pasty? We learned everyone’s first car, and heard stories from adventures all over the world. Sadly despite the amazing food and interesting conversation the evening inevitably turns to poop. It is somehow inescapable – especially on Walk of Shame Wednesday or Saturday (the days when the poop buckets are emptied).
Perhaps the most exciting part of this past week has been the nightly visits from a female fur seal. Her curiosity and vocal calls have entertained us and sparked our curiosity about her thinking. We have been extra cautious getting in and out of our tents in the evening since we never know which corner she might be lurking around. It has also made us acutely aware of the fragility of this place as the main hypothesis for her visits revolve around the theory she can’t find her pup.
One week left - the Cape Shirreff Construction Crew (Rick, Shaggy, (Good) Will, Sam (Soup), Fili, Cody, Bo, Kristina, Drea, Geoff, David, Ellie, and George.
