A 'cold' welcome back to Antarctic diving

As I begin my second season in the Antarctic, many things feel both new and familiar in wonderful ways. As I walked through the dive locker, it felt like I had just been in there days ago, listening to the stream of lighthearted jokes float around as we prepared for the day ahead.

The dive hut at the bottom of the world

However, little can prepare one for re-entry into the world beneath the ice. Splashing through the ice hole opens up a new world, more incredible than I could have recollected, or can describe here.

Paola and I getting ready for the first dive of the season

As I sank through the hole I popped into the other universe that is the McMurdo Sound. Brash ice hung down jaggedly from the ceiling, while anchor ice formed across the seafloor. In the shallows they met, reminescent of stalagmites and stalactites, although beautifully impermanent. In the water column ice continues to form, causing the water to glitter wherever my light shined. The seafloor was covered in life, including fish, sponges, sea spiders and sea stars.

Under the ice. Thank you Andrew for the great picture!

I couldn't be happier to be here, and I'm incredibly excited for the science ahead this season. I look forward to encapsulating and sharing all the sites, sounds, and people down on this cold and wonderful continent with you all.