Little Dome C - Beyond EPICA Drilling Site (75.29917 degS, 122.44516 degE)

Personnel @LDC: Saverio Panichi (ENEA, Camp Leader), Carlo Barbante (ISP-CNR, PI), Philippe Possenti (IGE), Jakob Schwander (unibe), Thomas Stocker (unibe), Remo Walther (unibe)

Personnel @DC: Gregory Teste (IGE), Olivier Alemany (IGE), Romain Duphil (IGE), Matthias Hüther (AWI), Calogero Monaco (ENEA), Michele Scalet (ENEA)

Weather at LDC: sunny, low wind – pleasant day

Meteo at DC 6 pm: T = −34°C, Wind = 10 knt, Wind Chill T = −47°C

Philippe has continued working on the shallow drill. Carlo and Philippe prepared the drilling tent for the assembly of the BEOIC drill. They also discussed how to close the opening since the original canvas would not be sufficient in situations of high wind, and in particular during Antarctic winter. One possibility that is considered is the closure by plywood.

In spite of the reduced number at LDC, some essential housekeeping is necessary every day. For example, Saverio is filling the hot tub outside the caravan with snow to provide water for the camp.

At RADIX, we have tried several configurations with limited success. We have also sharpened the anti-torque blades and installed harder springs. Drilling was possible but, unfortunately, not sustainable. We suspect that some parts of the hole have been widened by our multiple attempts at drilling. A widened hole would make it challenging for the anti-torque to work.

Radix drilling depth: 254.0 m

Thomas Stocker and Carlo Barbante