Situation Report #2, 21. December 2019

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

Personnel: Saverio Panichi (ENEA), Michele Scalet (ENEA), Luc Piard (IPEV), Jakob Schwander (unibe), Thomas Stocker (unibe), Remo Walther (unibe)

Weather at 8 am: sunny, very light clouds

This morning, some heavy equipment moving by PB crane was taking place. Four drums with Jet-A1 fuel were transported to the Twin Otter parking site, spare wood was assembled and placed next to the storage container. All wood elements for the floor of the BELDC drill tent were put in place for construction. By the end of today, the long beams of the BELDC drilling tent were set by Luc and fixed after carefully ensuring level positioning. Michele has made important road work removing ugly bumps created by the transport from DC. P

Preparations for the firn drilling for Radix have started by placing a 2 m aluminum tube and lowering the melter for 5 m. The firn drill motor was connected to the firn hose and both motor and vacuum system were tested. The four flags of Italy, France, European Union and Switzerland were hoisted and fly. Saverio, the chef, is treating us to excellent meals.

LDC, 21.12.2019