Before casing, the team confirmed the hole diameter was sufficient - no significant closure since last season.
This was done by lowering a disc of ice of appropriate diameter down the hole. A prudent check which allowed a graceful "failure" if the disc got stuck as it could be broken. 📷 J. Pedro

📸D. Beloin

The camp looks in great shape after the cold and lonely winter. Some drifts outside but no snow inside the shelters.

Ice coring team members are standing by at Casey Station to fly in via Concordia as soon as weather permits. Stay tuned!

📸 D. Harvie

Meanwhile traverse is making excellent progress toward the drill site at Dome C North. As of this morning, they have reached 3080 m altitude and have 269 km to go.

The science and drilling team will fly by Basler to Concordia Station to meet traverse team and set up our deep ice core drill.

And here we see one sonde inside its housing. 📷 Joel Pedro.

Cores transported thanks to our Program and Operation Southern Discovery. www.facebook.com/share/v/1XGg...