[OKDXA] Peter 1 Upates 5/6 Feb

[Bert Aaron]

6 Feb 2006 Update #4:
2100UTC:  We took a recon flight about 90 minutes ago and flew over the tip
of the peninsula....the area where we want to camp is further toward the
mountain and still socked in.  As we look now at that area, it is looking
better.  When we can be sure of at least 5-6 helicopter loads we will go --
hopefully tonight!  
  Update #3:
1445UTC:  False Alarm!  Just after gasing up, the fog set in again.  We are
on weather hold in the middle of a low pressure area.  The back-side of the
Low just started over us.  Still having fun!!  
  Update #2:
1315UTC:  The helicopter engine has been started and the first guys are
moving to the island! 
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Update #1:
1200UTC:  We're a mile and half offshore Peter I.  The helicopter is loaded
for the first run and the first four of us to go (Erling LA6VM, Bob K4UEE,
Ralph KØIR and Bob N6OX) are primed and ready.  The seas are fairly calm,
wind 15 knots, temp 35°F -- and the island completely shrouded in fog!  We
are waiting for it to lift...
73's to all from The Peter I team! 
 
5 Feb 2006 Update #2:
We have arrived at Peter I island and it is foggy and cold and very windy.
It popped out of the fog at 21:35 local when we were only 1.5 miles away and
it is about 34°F the wind is 40 mph right now.  It is really cold out on the
deck.  The Island is one of the spookiest sights we've ever seen and looks
very forboding with the fog and the wind.  Huge rocks and glaciers are
intermittantly visible.  We will need to wait for the weather to clear to go
on.  It is now 10pm local time and if it clears we will begin going onto the
island tomorrow morning.  Everything has gone very much according to plan
and we are very happy.
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   Update#1:
We now have the email working too....just in time to QSY to the
Island.....Peter I is on the radar at forty miles, so we will arrive in four
hours or 21:00 local.  First flight is scheduled for 07:00 local tommorrow.
The container is unloaded and the first fifteen loads are queued on the
deck, ready to go.  Wx is foggy and cold.  Hoping for it to clear tomorrow.
Fingers crossed!
73's to all from The Peter I team!