I can’t remember a day when I have worked so hard. We were up at 06:30 and after a breakfast of porridge and tinned fruit we started putting the first turbine up.

Things were going pretty well, the rest of team got on with getting the tower and ground anchors ready, and I fitted the blades to the hub and assembled the turbine. The ground anchors that we were using to hold the guy wires for the turbine tower drove in worrying easily, and when we put the turbine up and raised the tower for the first time, they started to pull out. What a nightmare – this turbine needed to stay up through an Antarctic winter, and as it was it probably wouldn’t survive the week.

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Download Using water responsibly

Music thanks to Audio Network

This is the second in our series of education videos from the E-Base team.The video complements the 2041 Journey to Antarctica Curriculum (see Lesson 5: Inspire to Action for further resources).

In this video we are look at the value of responsibility and focus on water use. Reducing water consumption is often overlooked as a means to tackle climate change. A lot of power is used to process water and to deliver it to schools, homes and businesses, so by reducing water use, we can help to tackle climate change and preserve Antarctica.

If you have any questions that you would like the team to answer whilst they are in Antarctica, please post them on the Message Wall.

Download The mission begins

Music thanks to Audio Network

It was another early morning and anticipation was high because of yesterday’s failure to get a flight. When we arrived at the airport, the weather report was good and we boarded the flight practically straight away. It was a fantastic flight and we even had an in-flight meal.

When we landed on King George Island it was great to see Alejo and finally start our mission. The E-Base and Accommodation Unit were exactly the same as I had remembered when we left a year ago. After getting settled in, it was right to work.

Jamie and I went down to the lake to get some water and the rest of the guys brought up the bags. Time for a nice rehydrated lunch, and then to having a look at the wind turbines and sorting everything out that we need for setting them up tomorrow. Stuart and Justin also had a look at the batteries. It was great that they had remained charged over winter and are ready to be hooked up tomorrow.

Then after a hard day it was a great pasta and wine dinner, quick game of cards and off to bed here in a minute.

Jake
2041

Download How have penguins adapted?

Music thanks to Audio Network

This is the first educational video that the E-Base team have created as part of the E-Base Live 365 expedition. The video complements the 2041 Journey to Antarctica Curriculum (see Lesson 3: Fantastic Feathers for further resources).

You can try the experiment at home or at school. Just collect different feathers and see how they react to having water sprayed or dropped on them. For down feathers ask an adult if you can have feathers from a pillow or duvet.

If you have any questions that you would like the team to answer whilst they are in Antarctica, please post them on the Message Wall. We can’t promise to answer all of them, but we’ll do our best!