Waddles' walks at McMurdo Station with Rich

I went on a walk with Rich and Tom to the top of Castle Rock on Sunday, the same place Rich and Andy took me and their friends last year. Then Rich took me up Observation Hill on Monday for some nice views of the station. Here are some photos of my trips!

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This is the beginning of the 3 mile trail to Castle Rock,   and after having followed all these flags we are there!

Now for the fun part, although Rich made me go the easy way. They even put a rope up so we don't fall.

Here is Tom climbing up the last bit, and holding me up at the top. I am the tallest penguin in this part of Antarctica!

On Monday Rich took me up Observation Hill where we saw this cross that was put here 91 years ago for the Scott expedition who sadly all perished returning from the South Pole before there were airplanes to take people there. The Scott expedition was the second group to reach the South Pole. Amundsen's expedition that same year were the first to get to the South Pole and they fortunately survived the return journey.

Observation Hill separates two stations, the American McMurdo Station to the left, where I am staying, and the smaller New Zealand station Scott Base on the right.

Behind me is the only active volcano in Antarctica, Mt. Erebus.  It shoots steam out from time to time.  Under Erebus and to the right a bit is a square, tooth-like rock feature. That is Castle Rock that we climbed yesterday!  And behind me in the right photo is the road out on the Ross Ice Shelf to the runway called Willy Field where we arrived by C-130 and will hopefully leave by a Twin-Otter aircraft tomorrow. It's neat having an airport on thick ice floating on the ocean!

Thanks for visiting my travel page - Rich and I say bye for now...