After a false start involving some poor weather in Antarctica, the first lot of Scott Base summer staff have flown out of Christchurch today, marking the start of New Zealand's 2021/22 summer season.
Scott Base staff boarding the Royal New Zealand Air Force C-130 before take-off. Photo: Supplied / Waynne Williams
The team nearly got there earlier in the week, but the Royal New Zealand Air Force C-130 they were on board had to turn back after four and a half hours due to poor weather - what those involved call a "boomerang".
Bad weather kept the flight on the ground Christchurch until today, and the Hercules took off at 9am for McMurdo Sound.
With a suitable weather window in place, the Hercules landed at Phoenix Airfield at 4.07pm, and was due to spend a short time on the ice before heading back to Christchurch.
Antarctica New Zealand chief executive Sarah Williamson said the staff members were essential to running Scott Base safely and the organisation went to great lengths to ensure they arrived in Antarctica Covid-19 free.
"Adding a two-week isolation period and multiple Covid-19 tests to Antarctic pre-deployment is a big commitment for our people heading south this year, but we want to ensure we've done everything we can to keep Antarctica Covid-19 free," Williamson said.
That commitment involved dedicated isolation in Canterbury before travel including several Covid-19 tests.
"We are excited to be sending our base maintenance staff south, and to see the return of our team members that have been in Antarctica all winter."
Once at Scott Base, there was a carefully planned system for when new teams arrived and masks and physical distancing would be the new norm on base.
Summer Scott Base staff will work in Antarctica for the next five months, while 12 staff will stay on throughout winter until October 2022.
Due to Covid-19, fewer people will travel south this season compared with "normal" years.
Researchers begin to arrive next month, allowing New Zealand's climate change science to continue.