A Gateway in Edward VII Peninsula
Nestled along the north coast of Edward VII Peninsula, Bartlett Inlet carves a significant presence in the Antarctic landscape. This predominantly ice-filled inlet spans approximately 16 nautical miles (30 km) in width and is situated just east of Cape Colbeck.
The inlet bears the name of Lieutenant Eugene F. Bartlett, MC, U.S. Navy, who served as officer in charge at Byrd Station in 1960. Its current mapping owes much to the detailed surveys conducted by the United States Geological Survey and comprehensive U.S. Navy aerial photography campaigns carried out between 1959 and 1965.
This geographical feature stands as another testament to the contributions of military personnel in Antarctic exploration and research.
Navigating Weather Windows: Cape Crozier to Cape Bartlett
The transit from Cape Crozier to Cape Bartlett demanded precise timing and patience. During the first 24 hours after arriving at Crozier, our forecaster remained vigilantly focused on weather monitoring, analyzing satellite imagery arriving every 3-4 hours to identify potential windows of opportunity.
The complexity of the movement required a split approach. Due to differences in flight time and fuel autonomy, our Twin Otters and helicopters had to take advantage of separate weather windows. Despite these operational challenges, careful planning and execution allowed all aircraft to successfully converge at our Cape Bartlett camp by the evening of January 14th.
This segment of our journey exemplifies the intricate coordination required for multi-aircraft operations in Antarctica, where weather dictates every movement and timing is everything.