NOV24
24th 25th Nov 2009
It was serious as we lost all coolant. Stopped and set up tent, it was about -37C.
Took off radiator and found that the many of the downtubes were leaking at the base, likely caused by ice in these extreme conditions. Cleaned up area, and used Arildite to fix it! Freyr is now know as Mr Arildite. A fantastic fix by all in such extreme conditions. All together spent 12 hrs before getting back moving. Decided to make it to the Basler crash site where a spare radiator would be flown in… a long drive!
It was more difficult driving but it seemed that at least the radiator was ok. All of us took turns driving, even so it was difficult to stay awake.
Also Alexander the parachutist will be flown out at the Basler crash site.
Finally reached the Basler site just as the plane was arriving, also a Basler (DC3 with turbines and skis), and a Twin Otter. Since leaving the site over a week ago it had turned into tent city, with lots of people apparently trying to look busy, though it seemed not much had been down on the crashed plane, as liitle snow had been removed, maybe all the work is being done of the inside. Plane is worth 5M$ not bad for something built in 1943, also the Antarctic treaty requires it must be removed, flown out or carried out!
Said goodbye to Alexander, fuelled up and pressed on to the mountains, (we alos picked up ground radar on the way) where we set up camp in low sun, and amazing colors, it was so good to see and be in the mountains again. The camp was by a group of nanatuks, which were shining red in the low sun.
Had a excellent meal with desert, washed down with a little vodka and tea!
Had a fantastic nights sleep though even though it was -24C outside we had o sleep on top of our sleeping bags as it was too warm in the tent!
It was serious as we lost all coolant. Stopped and set up tent, it was about -37C.
Took off radiator and found that the many of the downtubes were leaking at the base, likely caused by ice in these extreme conditions. Cleaned up area, and used Arildite to fix it! Freyr is now know as Mr Arildite. A fantastic fix by all in such extreme conditions. All together spent 12 hrs before getting back moving. Decided to make it to the Basler crash site where a spare radiator would be flown in… a long drive!
It was more difficult driving but it seemed that at least the radiator was ok. All of us took turns driving, even so it was difficult to stay awake.
Also Alexander the parachutist will be flown out at the Basler crash site.
Finally reached the Basler site just as the plane was arriving, also a Basler (DC3 with turbines and skis), and a Twin Otter. Since leaving the site over a week ago it had turned into tent city, with lots of people apparently trying to look busy, though it seemed not much had been down on the crashed plane, as liitle snow had been removed, maybe all the work is being done of the inside. Plane is worth 5M$ not bad for something built in 1943, also the Antarctic treaty requires it must be removed, flown out or carried out!
Said goodbye to Alexander, fuelled up and pressed on to the mountains, (we alos picked up ground radar on the way) where we set up camp in low sun, and amazing colors, it was so good to see and be in the mountains again. The camp was by a group of nanatuks, which were shining red in the low sun.
Had a excellent meal with desert, washed down with a little vodka and tea!
Had a fantastic nights sleep though even though it was -24C outside we had o sleep on top of our sleeping bags as it was too warm in the tent!
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