Since the winterovers spend a full year at the Pole, they get to fit in some R&R at McMurdo Station on the coast before the long stretch of winter isolation sets in. IceCube winterover Raffaela was off last week, after a two-day flight delay, leaving Johannes to hold down the fort on his own. Johannes got some training with the communications team—on equipment, procedures, and reading and understanding weather reports. He also got outside and captured a great shot of ice sculptures, had some fun on a makeshift seesaw, and helped launch a weather balloon.
