Editor`s note: As a result of the temporary dismemberment of Sledge Golf detailed below, Ms. Amanda Savrda is now officially (and officiously) the member of Team Barbeau who has traveled the furthest South -- hence her one-upmanship in the title...dlb
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72 Degrees South (BOOYAH, DAVE!)
When Dan and I were uplifted from Belemnite Point on the morning of the 4th, we were unable to land at Burns Bluff because of poor contrast and unable to land at Mars Glacier because of crevassing, so we were put down at Coal Nunatak. Coal Nunatak, located at -72.08 S -68.55 W, consists of some of the southernmost exposed rocks on Alexander Island. Dave and Ferg were able to be airlifted straight into Burns Bluff after their away-day in the LeMay`s because the weather improved, so for a few days, Sledge Golf will consist of Sledge Golf, Coal Nunatak and Sledge Golf, Burns Bluff.
Coal Nunatak, lovingly renamed "CONUN" for sampling purposes, is an even more alien place than Belemnite Point. Sledge Golf`s camp ground at Belemnite Point was nestled amid beautifully stratified mountains with sparkling hanging glaciers in a valley that provided us with a view across George VI Sound towards the crystalline peaks of the mainland peninsula. CONUN, on the other hand, is more subdued topographically, and blocks the view of the Sound to the east. Looking to the south, the view from our camp is nothing but white, and white, and white. Occasionally, in the distance, Dan and I would catch glimpses of a glaciated peak and some insanely immense ice cliffs, probably from somewhere on the peninsula.
Yesterday, the weather was absolutely stunning, and Dan and I were able to get out and sample some of the sandstones on the Nunatak. With blue skies and temperatures well above freezing, we thoroughly enjoyed basking in the warmth of the intense Antarctic sun on the organic-rich outcrops of CONUN. The geologic history of CONUN is quite exciting, because its strata tell the story of a series of sea level rises and falls. Some of the beds of terrestrial sandstones contain entire fossilized forests! We were able to see some beautiful plant and animal fossils, and even some of the coal from which CONUN derives its name. Dan found some beautiful fossilized ferns in the talus piles while I was sampling. The sandstones I sampled contained glints of pyrite (fool`s gold). Needless to say, CONUN has a lot going on for one Nunatak.
Today, we enjoy another warm day without jackets, and bask, yet again, in the unsetting sun of the southern Summer, proped up outside on our P-bags (Personal bags, containing our sleeping bags, etc.). We`re waiting for the for Twin Otter aircraft to pick us up and reunite us with the other half of Sledge Golf, who are already out sampling the granitoids of Burns Bluff.
The final Twin Otter is in sight. Brilliant, beautiful red against a background of the bluest of all sky blues. Its time to finish taking the tent down, and to time to pack the radio away.
In the words of Dan over the radio back to Rothera, "This is Sledge Golf, Coal Nunatak, going clear."
Flying over George VI Sound.
Fossilized flora of Coal Nunatak.
The sandstones of Coal Nunatak. Hammer for scale.
Strata of Coal Nunatak. Dan Fitzgerald for scale.
More fossilized fauna (~100 Ma)!
The slopes of Coal Nunatak.
Cross-stratification in Coal Nunatak sandstones.
Beautiful sandstones.
Dan contemplates the rocks as I sample.
Windscoop.
Sample area.
Scree.
Looking west from Coal Nunatak to our skidoos.
Coal Nunatak.
Marker flag.
My crates of Coal Nunatak sandstones for thermochronometric analyses.
My shadow in the snow.
Steve flying in to pick us up.
Steve "buzzing" us.
Steve landing on the "runway."
Taxiing right up to camp.
Dr. Dan "Honky Cat" Fitzgerald. BAS Mountaineer Extraordinaire.
