A two-mile hike from McMurdo, Castle Rock is a beautiful rock outcropping and lovely escape from the hustle bustle of industrial McMurdo. A seemingly short walk, I’ve always managed to make this into a longer trip with multiple warm-up snack stops at the two warming huts, a.k.a. apples, along the way.
December 6th with Shannon

YAY!!!

Mt. Erebus smoking in the background – the southern most active volcano on earth!

Too much snow still to climb to the top, we were very content to enjoy the amazing views from the side of the rock.

Wind-scoured ski tracks on the trail looking back towards McMurdo

Melting snow and ice formations…

…in dirt

After-hike beers in the sun on the 201 dorm back porch
January 30th with Hasmin

On top of the rock!

Sunny, super windy and chilly!

Hasmin playing cold

View to the southeast around 3:00 am. I’m working nights right now so this was the middle of my day off!

Apple

Ceiling of an apple

Hasmin kicking back and enjoying a Black Russian in a plastic penguin cup in an apple.

Still life in an apple