Here is a map of the Dry Valleys - to give an idea of where we were in relation to the entire continent. Below is a zoomed in map of Taylor Valley pointing out where our campsite was.

More of what I have been working on lately - interpreting profiles. First, I process a raw radar profile (as I showed before). This involves applying a series of filters to remove noise and gain to increase the amplitude of some signals. Then the profile is corrected for topography.


I trace out the strongest reflections in the profile first, and then fill in the lower amplitude reflections that seem real (seem to fit in with the story that is building). Each color represents a similar reflection and this a similar feature. Next, I have to figure out how these features fit together to form units (not shown in the image).

We saw a helicopter with a sling load go by near our camp (November 27). Since I had not taken a picture of our sling load, I took this opportunity. It was a beautiful, clear day. We took the radar equipment down near Lake Fryxell on what looked like current deltaic sediments. Mike pulled the 100 MHz antenna while Allan operated the GPR computer and I carried the cable. The ground here was much easier to pull the antenna on than near our camp.


 

       

Ron and Mike discussed the landscape while Allan listened. Allan is holding the flags we used to mark every 10m for the GPS. While running the radar, these marks can be entered into the computer and will show up in the data profile. Later, these marks are coordinated with the GPS data to topo-correct the profiles. While I was laying out flags, I looked back and noticed the way my footsteps were lifting up the snow.


After pulling the radar all morning, Mike was understandably tired and in need of a rest. We continued on in the afternoon. Then it was back to the tent for some dinner cooked by Mike (we all took turns cooking meals).



Allan is skeptical of Mike's culinary skills ;-) , but it was a really good meal. The food we were given was exceptional - better than I eat at home sometimes. The cost of transporting the food to Antarctica from the US is significantly more than the cost of the food itself, so Raytheon provided us with top-notch choices. Every night, we had one of the following: scallops, jumbo shrimp, steak, hamburger, halibut, salmon or chicken. MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM

The next day (November 26) was kind of cloudy. We were unable to fly anywhere in a helicopter so we continued surveying features near our camp and eventually ended up down by Lake Fryxell.


I surveyed some more with the GPS and took a picture of a rock I thought was pretty neat (ventifacted lamprophyre).


Below are photos of our camp and another cool rock that Allan was collecting. It had dark opaque crystals the size of my little finger.