Davis is located in eastern Antarctica, a few hundred kilometers from the enormous Amery ice shelf. Due in part to the surrounding Vestfold hills, it is rocky in summer and manages to avoid most of the katabatic winds off the ice plateau.
With its relatively mild climate some call it the Riviera of the South.
Davis station is one of four stations run by the Australian Antarctic Division (AAD). It is busiest during summer with scientists, aviation, and various logistical support swelling station numbers to 100 or so. It is kept running year round by a crew of 17 “winterers” – a station leader, chef, doctor, plumbers, builders, electricians, diesel mechanics, communications techs, engineer for the physics stuff, and BOM.
I am working as a “met tech” for the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM), helping release the weather balloons and taking weather observations as well as maintaining the equipment. I’ve been contracted for around 16 months, including a couple of months of BOM training in Melbourne and a month of AAD training in Hobart before departure.
Most of us have arrived with a two week journey by ship on the Aurora Australis. Once it leaves with the “summerers” we will be isolated until next summer. We will have the rocky Vestfold hills, sea ice, quad bikes, and the half dozen field huts to ourselves.
Davis station, Vestfold hills, Prydz bay, eastern Antarctica
All photos and writing is by Nick Neynens unless otherwise noted. My gmail address is sharemyjoys.
Author, Nick Neynens, during Field Training
Riviera of the South 