We had some of the best quality snow we’ve ever experienced at SANAE today – the miserable weather of yesterday disappeared leaving fresh snow, but without the usual wind to blow it away.\u00c2\u00a0 Today was bright, calm and clear, and we made good use of the blessing of 5-20cm of soft powder.\u00c2\u00a0 While we work hard at the base, we don’t miss a good oportunity to play.\u00c2\u00a0 A couple of pictures – video hopefully to follow:<\/p>\n
Sanki and I skied cross-country around to the northern windscoop to meet up with the others.\u00c2\u00a0 It’s about a 5 km trip all the way around, but\u00c2\u00a0 with the temperature at only -7, and no wind, it felt deliciously warm.\u00c2\u00a0 Pairs of Snow Petrels wheeled through the sky above us, courting and seeking nests.\u00c2\u00a0 Here I am, making no attempt to hide the resultant grin, with the northern buttress of Vesleskarvet in the background.\u00c2\u00a0 Yes, Mom, I was wearing sunscreen.<\/p>\n
At the buttress the snow was deep and soft, and soon everyone was carving down the perfectly concave slope.\u00c2\u00a0 It’s a great place to learn to ski and snowboard, because the slope gradually levels out in a safe windscoop, and with the lovely powder falling was amusing rather than painful.\u00c2\u00a0 Some, of course, were more graceful than others – here’s a picture of Sanki styling on her snowboard:<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.doctorross.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/12\/xc_ski_2008_1130.jpg\" "\\"xc_ski_2008_1130\\"")
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