Running Up That Hill

While we are able to get off station quite often due to our diving, there are a few recreational opportunities around McMurdo such as this one - Observation Hill. At the top you can see most of Ross Island and views out across the ice shelf.

This hike is 1.5 miles long, able to be done in an afternoon. Although, I chose Sunday (our day off from diving during the week). At 750 feet of elevation it's a steep climb, with a local challenge to hike it 39 times in a season to equal hiking Mt. Everest.

At the top you can see to the New Zealand Scott Base, pressure waves where the Ross Ice Shelf presses into Ross Island and all the way out to open water in the sound.

This cross remembers Scott's expedition team who perished on their journey back from the South Pole in 1912.

It's a great place to reflect and get some alone time and I appreciate it for the vantage point. I like to draw en plein air when I travel to really take in the location and have a physical memory of what it looked like to me. This is after two sessions. I should be able to finish in one more!