26.02.2026 | Anja Mödl | SLF News
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Anja Mödl is a PhD student in the Snow Processes group at the SLF. She is spending one and a half months at the Italian Mario Zucchelli station in the Antarctic. Together with her Finnish colleague Roberta Pirazzini, she wants to determine the properties of the surface scattering layer. In the logbook blog, she reports on her work and her stay in Antarctica. Part 4.
How quickly these last 2 months have passed. Now I've arrived safely back in Davos, a little late. But first things first, because there was still a lot happening during the last few weeks at the station.
The first step before leaving was to dismantle the permanently installed weather stations on the ice shelf. They couldn't spend the winter there, and we would soon need the equipment back in Europe anyhow. So we flew to our measuring field by helicopter one last time. On site, we dismantled the instruments from the stations, carefully packed them in boxes and prepared them for the transport back. The metal constructions themselves were flown back to the station as a whole by winch under the helicopter, where we then dismantled them.
Then the really stressful part began: everything had to be packed back into transport boxes and prepared for shipping, if possible in exactly the same way as on the outward journey. Fortunately, we had drawn up a packing list for each box. This meant we knew exactly what belonged where and could be sure not to forget anything. Nevertheless, I was initially overwhelmed by the huge mountain of equipment that lay in front of us. It was hard to imagine that we could manage it all within three days. That was the deadline for loading the freight into the containers, which would then be transported by ship to Christchurch and on to Italy. I was all the more surprised when all the boxes were filled after just one day. We needed another day to carefully label everything so that every box really did find its way back to us. When everything was finally done in time, I was very relieved and we decided to treat ourselves to a day off.
The ship, the Italian icebreaker RV Laura Bassi, arrived the very next day. The icebreaker not only took the containers with our equipment on board, but also brought food and fuel for the station. Accordingly, unloading and loading took several days. On the second day, however, a storm blew in and the work had to be temporarily interrupted. The storm also meant that we were unable to fly back to New Zealand and our departure was initially postponed by five days.
When the weather improved and the loading work could continue, we even had the opportunity to visit the ship. That was a great experience at the end of the expedition! It was my first time on a research vessel and I was very impressed by how everything fits into such a small space. Contrary to my expectations, the ship didn't feel cramped at all. Nevertheless, I am glad to have spent my first Antarctic expedition on a research station and not on a ship. In terms of privacy and opportunities for some quiet, I imagine life on board to be much more challenging.
Finally, everything was loaded and the ship set sail again. We were supposed to fly back to New Zealand. But on the evening before our planned departure, we received the news that the flight from McMurdo to Christchurch had been canceled - unfortunately, we didn't find out why. So our return flight was postponed for another four days. To fill the waiting time, we therefore began initial data evaluatioh and to complete work that was originally planned for after our return. On our penultimate day, however, we had to vacate our office. The windows were barricaded and the heating was turned off - the station was already being prepared for the winter.
When we were told again on the morning of our new departure day: "We can't fly for the time being, the wind is too strong", our enthusiasm was limited. Besides me and Roberta, 40 other people were waiting to leave. But at half past three in the afternoon, the conditions were finally suitable for flying and we left the Mario Zucchelli station after 54 days. We reached our connecting flight in McMurdo just in time. We finally landed back in Christchurch shortly before midnight.
The first moment after getting off the plane was overwhelming. After two months of uninterrupted light, it was suddenly night again. But the smell of plants and nature was even more intense, it was simply indescribable.
And so a unique adventure comes to an end. In these two months, I have learned and experienced an incredible amount of things. I am infinitely grateful for this special opportunity - and for all the memories that remain.
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